Following the G20’s temporary suspension of debt payments from the poorest countries from 1 May to 31 December 2020, Christian Aid is asking for Zimbabwe to also be included to receive the aid it needs to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Christian Aid says “the debt suspension package is understood to include all 77 countries that are either in the World Bank International Development Association (IDA) programme, or defined as low-income countries – and Zimbabwe is defined as a ‘partially eligible’ IDA country. However, due to technical conditions, Zimbabwe has been excluded from the agreement.”
The charity adds: “The G20 statement makes clear the agreement remains open to changing social and economic conditions. So long as Zimbabwe commits to using the freed budget to increase social, health or economic spending in response to the international crisis, it must be included in the scheme. Zimbabwe as well as its creditors should also commit to disclose all public sector debt to improve debt transparency.”
Nicholas Shamano, Christian Aid’s Zimbabwe country manager, said: “The lack of an IMF programme with Zimbabwe must not leave ordinary people exposed to further suffering because of the pandemic. There is a humanitarian imperative to ensure that the international community helps Zimbabweans to withstand the worst effects of coronavirus, and the global economic crisis.”
Christian Aid launched a Cancel the Debt campaign ahead of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Spring Meeting from 17-19 April 2020.
For more information, see the Christian Aid website.
