6 January 2004
The UK Government will take a ‘comprehensive approach’ towards Africa that aims to increase aid and cancel debt, Tony Blair said today.
Speaking at his monthly Downing Street press conference, the Prime Minister said the tragedy in Africa was ‘through the failure of man’.
Mr Blair added:
"Gordon Brown is setting out in a speech today the Government’s ambitions for Africa. This will underline again that we need a comprehensive approach that increases aid, cancels debt, makes trade fairer, reduces conflict and promotes good governance."
Mr Blair said the Asian tsunami was ‘through the force of nature’ but the situation in Africa was ‘through the failure of man’.
"There is the equivalent of a man-made preventable tsunami every week in Africa."
"I do not accept there is compassion fatigue on behalf of the British people. I believe there is every chance of mobilising the same extraordinary generosity of spirit and solidarity that Britain and the world have shown over the tsunami tragedy in tackling the tragedy in Africa."
Extra information
In his speech Chancellor Gordon Brown called for a ‘Marshall Plan’ for the developing world, to transform the prospects of poor countries, particularly in Africa.
The original Marshall Plan was set up by the United States to help Europe recover after the Second World War - the European Recovery Program was named after the US Secretary of State George Marshall.
- Read the Chancellor’s speech on international development (external link)
- Department for International Development (external link)
- Commission for Africa (external link)
A full transcript of the Prime Minister’s press conference will be available on this website later.
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