Help the UN to help poorer countries

Published: 6 May, 2011

• WE must all be pleased that the world is now taking climate change seriously and putting resources into tackling the problem.

It is also good that rich and developed countries have agreed to give financial help to poor countries to help their climate change campaigns.

It is, however, unfortunate that the money is not being given in the way that would bring most benefit.

The United Nations has set up an Adaptation Fund accepting money from rich countries and giving grants to low-income states to help them to tackle problems of climate change and finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes.

Unfortunately the British government is not passing money to this fund but, instead, giving it to The World Bank.

While The World Bank gives some loans, the Adaptation Fund gives only grants that do not induce poor countries into having to make repayment.

For example, 92 per cent of the money given to Bangladesh will have to be repaid with interest.

This will, of course, reduce money available for health and education.

AILSA PAIN
Hampstead Way
NW11