Debate - UK International aid to be enshrined in law

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
17/05/2011 21:59

The Coalition is looking to make it law that Britain will commit 0.7% of its GDP to International aid. This is an increase of 34%



What are your thoughts on this?



Critics say that the pledge was made in 2005 when Britain was more solvent, and that the commitment was largely made to appease Geldof and Bono. They also say, that whilst the aid is going up our military defence spending is going down by 7.5%



Advocates say that giving aid has saved thousands of lives around the world, it will make the world a better place and it will help our own security. They also say, we should act like big donors such as Scandanavia not like Italy who gives a much smaller amount.



How much should be given to the TRNC?



2009/2010 - Who the UK donated to:



*India 295m, Ethiopia 219m, Bangladesh 149m, Sudan 146, Tanzania 144m, Pakistan 140m, Afghanistan 133m, Nigeria 114m, Congo 109m, Ghana 90m, Source Difd

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 15:30

Lets have a bit of fun



Lets say that the British government has given you 50 million pounds in aid money to support the TRNC. Okay it is not going to happen but lets see what everyone comes up with.



I would use the money to support the communication infrastructure in the TRNC.



How would you spend the money?

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 21:15

Hi Mark,



I would spend a chunk on farming and agriculture.Another chunk on education,and another chunk on allowing the T.RN.C. to become more self sufficient.Of course it would be a lot easier for the country,if they where allowed to compete on a level playing field with their noisy neighbours.Oh and a chunk on tidying up the place.Oh and a chunk on sorting out the stray dog problem.Reckon all my chunks have gone now,



Paul.

MUSIN M


Joined: 26/06/2008
Posts: 1352

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 22:27

paul



your in serious debt bruv.





musin



long live the kktc

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 22:32

Paul, before you get rid of all the chunks can you sub me a few quid?

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 22:41

And me please then I can help with your projects xxxxx

philbailey


Joined: 17/01/2011
Posts: 3534

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 22:43

As a commonwealth country

do Cyprus not recieve money ?

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 22:52

Hey guys,



Never said how much was in each chunk,



Paul.

newlad



Joined: 02/03/2008
Posts: 7819

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 23:03

Mess 7 "a commonwealth country" ?



Paul.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
18/05/2011 23:04

I think you mean " as a common no wealth country"

smoggyjim


Joined: 21/07/2007
Posts: 214

Message Posted:
19/05/2011 07:05

How about Britain fixing it's own problems first before giving away money to corrupt nations overseas

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
19/05/2011 12:37

msge 3



I like your idea about education Paul. Build for the future



msge 11



There definitely has to be more accountability. The money cant go in to the pockets of a corrupt few.

walkerscott


Joined: 13/08/2009
Posts: 901

Message Posted:
19/05/2011 13:35

unfortunately most of the funds given do not reach the people who need it. we should not donate anything unless we have it to give and recently we have not had anything to give. if we have to cut the police by 40%, reduce the armed forces yet again, cut the NHS and make hundreds of thousands of civil servants redundant, then we should stop all overseas aid! we need and must sort our own home out first before being able to help others.

if we have the surplus to help others, then yes, always and all ways!

some of the countries listed have enormous wealth of their own and despite that do not help the needy, poor or sick!

birdman



Joined: 20/09/2010
Posts: 690

Message Posted:
19/05/2011 14:26

Pay for the new under-sea fresh water pipeline.

That will help the whole Island.

Stop giving to countries that do not account for every penny given in aid.

ALL MONIES GIVEN AS AID TO COUNTRIES MUST BE ACCOUNTABLE AND IF IT IS SEEN TO BE GOING INTO BACK POCKETS THEN IT MUST BE STOPPED UNTIL THE THIEVES ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

India is a rich country but does little to help its own poor. Their class system is totally race prejudiced and yet they call other countries RACIST.

I was on the first landing craft taking aid into PUTUKALI in east Pakistan after disastrous floods.

As the relief supplies were offloaded, they were being SOLD in front of our eyes by corrupt officials.

Initially the local people would NOT offload the supplies from the lowered ramp and as we were not allowed to step foot on shore for fear of Cholera. I gave them 30 minutes to start offloading or I would take the relief supplies back to the ship! The local policeman demanded that my crew offload the goods to s

ilovecyprus


Joined: 08/05/2007
Posts: 2880

Message Posted:
19/05/2011 14:30

msge 14



"As the relief supplies were offloaded, they were being SOLD in front of our eyes by corrupt officials".



Thats a real eye opener

birdman



Joined: 20/09/2010
Posts: 690

Message Posted:
19/05/2011 14:39

continued.

offload the goods to shore. I explained that we were NOT allowed to step foot on land or we would be quarantined and therefore be unable to return with more aid!

He still demanded that WE do the offloading so he was politely put in his place and after 30 minutes I told my crew to start unloading the ramp BACK INTO THE LANDING CRAFT!



By heck did the policeman move then thrashing the watching/starving people with his baton to get the supplies ashore !

Then he and the village elders set up tables and SOLD the supplies to their own villagers!

All tent aid went to the Pakistani Army and much of the other aid sent by Russia and America also went straight to the Pakistani army to help them in their struggles with India.



Yes disaster aid is necessary, but even that must be checked to see it goes to the right people.



Gerry

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
20/05/2011 00:38

I always thought charity started at home.

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
20/05/2011 07:49

Whilst ministers of other countries drive round in big Mercedes, and spending millions on arms, claiming they can't afford to help the poor, remember, it is actually the big Mercedes and arms etc that is being sponsored.

I wouldn't give a penny to any other country, but would sent help in times of 'natural' disaster.

I hope the Gov will be able to explain to Mrs 'paid into the system all her life' why she has to then wait for a new hip.

I would stop benefits of any kind to all 'illegal' entrants, and return them to their previous port or home irrespective of the consequences.

The whole UK had an opportunity to commence stopping carrying the rest of the world in the last election, but most chose to vote not to help their own and retain wealth etc for their own children's future.

It is not the people of the present that should be considered in this matter, but the next generation who the problem will be passed on to.