G7 countries have ‘failed’ to address worldwide hunger, aid activists say of Japan summit

‘They can find untold billions to fight the war but can’t even provide half of what is needed … for the most critical humanitarian crises’, Oxfam says

Group pledged to provide U$21 billion ‘to address the worsening humanitarian crises this year’, but the United Nations puts the need closer to US$55 billion

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Oxfam activists wearing masks of G7 leaders to highlight their lack of action to tackle the East Africa hunger crisis. Photo: dpa

Published: 11:37pm, 20 May 2023

Aid organisations expressed disappointment with the outcome of the G7 summit in Japan after leaders pledged US$21 billion to address global humanitarian crises.

After the publication of the G7 communique on Saturday, Max Lawson of Oxfam said: “The G7 failed the Global South here in Hiroshima. They failed to cancel debts, and they failed to find what is really required to end the huge increase in hunger worldwide.

They can find untold billions to fight the war but can’t even provide half of what is needed by the UN for the most critical humanitarian crises.”

Aid organisations said that available funding has become scarce not just because of the humanitarian aid to Ukraine and its refugees – but also because of extensive spending on weapons deliveries.

In their joint statement, the G7 pledged to provide U$21 billion “to address the worsening humanitarian crises this year, including responding to the urgent food crisis”.

The United Nations, however, had put the need closer to US$55 billion.

A malnourished child in Nigeria, where widespread hunger is in danger of turning into a “full-blown catastrophe”, the UN says. Photo: AP

Friederike Röder, senior director for the Global Citizen aid organisation, said the communique shows that G7 was “off track” and “it misses the mark on what’s really needed: action”.