Join the Fight Against Poverty in AfghanistanIn 2010, a series of summits will take place between foreign ministers, Afghanistan’s President Karzai, the UN and NATO leaders to agree on the way forward in Afghanistan. Join the fight against poverty in Afghanistan by signing this petition to world leaders.
Despite $17 billion in aid over the past four years, Afghanistan remains among the poorest nations in the world.
Four years ago, world leaders promised to provide aid that would create opportunity for the people of Afghanistan. Even though we've spent billions since then, many of Afghanistan's most vulnerable — women, children and those displaced by the conflict — have seen little impact. Half of all Afghans live in poverty. Instead of creating lasting change for those who need it most, billions have gone to "band-aid" solutions and wasteful aid projects run by international troops, which sometimes put the people they are designed to help at risk. It’s time to think more about Afghanistan's most vulnerable people and less about short-term goals based on military needs and political considerations. Every year we fail to achieve real development and promote good government in Afghanistan prolongs the conflict that keeps foreign troops there and causes more suffering among Afghanistan's families. We call on the heads of states to implement development plans based on Afghans’ needs and ownership, not on political and military objectives. It’s time to renew and increase our commitment in Afghanistan by focusing on poverty reduction. |