Drop the Debt

Do you remember the "Make Poverty History" initiative? It worked- but not completely. Much was achieved. More was left undone- either unfinished or not yet started. Poverty is a major cause for many global and human problems, including people trafficking, lack of pure water, starvation, and serious health issues. Can we help? What else can be done? Read on!

The world's poorest countries pay over $100 million every day to the rich world. Read the basics about how this works - and why it should stop.

If you have a question that isn't listed, email info@jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk.

1. Why drop the debt?
Debts should be cancelled because
they are unjust in terms of their origin,
as well as because they worsen poverty.

2. How big is the debt of poor countries?
The poorest 54 countries of the world have debts totalling between US$ 300 and US$ 400 billion, whilst for the poorest 152 countries, it is over US$ 2.5 trillion.

3. Where did the debt come from?
Much of the debt of poor countries is left over from the 1970s and often arose through reckless or self-interested lending by the rich world.

4. Hasn't all the debt been cancelled?
No! Thanks to campaigners, debt cancellation has become a reality - but the debt crisis is still with us.

5. Hasn't the UK cancelled all debts?
No! The UK has cancelled many debts, and been active in calling for further cancellation for the poorest – but it still holds billions in debts from other poor countries.

6. What do countries have to do to get cancellation?
There are lots of harmful, undemocratic and irrelevant conditions attached to debt cancellation - we want these strings to be cut.

7. Where do debt payments go?
Poor countries are paying debts to the World Bank, the IMF, other international bodies (all controlled by rich countries), to rich country governments and to companies.

8. Doesn't corruption make debt cancellation pointless?
No. Corruption is a big problem in some places - but funds from debt cancellation do make a difference.

9. What can I do?
Plenty! Campaigning does make a difference.