The Tsunami Disaster and Debt Cancellation

The Tsunami Disaster & Debt Cancellation

The Tsunami of December 26, 2004 has brought indescribable devastation on the countries around the Indian Ocean. Hundreds of thousands of people from the region have died or have been made homeless and lost their livelihoods. This epic human disaster has generated unprecedented people-to-people solidarity both from within the region as well as internationally.

Within this context, TNI would like to request your support and participation in the Campaign for Debt Cancellation launched by Jubilee South.

Jubilee South has circulated a Sign-On letter (English and Spanish) with the request for Sign-On Signatures - this is an initiative calling for the immediate cancellation of the Debt for countries affected by the tsunami. The first presentation will be on January 6th, 2005 to coincide with the Meeting of the International Tsunami Summit of Governments which will take place in Jakarta, Indonesia. A second presentation of signatures will be made during the World Social Forum January 25-30, 2005.

Send Sign-On signatures to:
lidy@jubileesouth.org and jubileo-sur@wamani2.wamani.apc.org

Further Information: Brid Brennan - bridbrennan@tni.org, Pietje Vervest - pietje.vervest@tni.org

Additional References for further Action:
Jubilee South Sign-On letter debt Cancellation
Jubilee South Call for Action
Data on Debt

Jubilee South Sign-on Letter
In the face of Debt and Disaster: Long-lasting Relief for the Peoples of
the South!

We express our deepest sympathy and solidarity for the peoples of Sri
Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and many other South countries
who are currently suffering from the devastation unleashed by the tsunami
last December 26. We cannot overemphasize how profoundly saddened we are
by the climbing death toll, numbering over 55,000 as of Dec 29, the many
thousand others missing or injured, the destruction of property, the loss
of livelihoods and the widespread dislocation of communities.

The Philippines was also severely hit by super-typhoons in the last few
weeks, leading to the death of more than 1,000 people, the destruction of
over 10,000 hectares of farmlands, and the rendering 53,000 families
homeless and without access to clean water.

Now, more than ever, at their hour of greatest need, the peoples of the
South must be heeded in their long-standing demand for debt cancellation.
In the face of this massive destruction, northern and international
creditors should not continue to hold South peoples in bondage for debts
that have in large part, only contributed to their impoverishment and
deprivation.

If there is any measure of sincerity in the outpouring of compassion from
North governments for the peoples of the South, let this be through
concrete action. In addition to emergency relief operations and
rehabilitation, what we need immediately is:

Unconditional debt cancellation now!

Southern governments should not continue to prioritize debt service, and
squander much needed public funds:

Stop Paying Onerous And Illegitimate Debts! Prioritize relief and
rehabilitation, basic social services, clean and safe water, and other
human development programs!

List of signatories [PDF]

Jubilee South Call to Action

Dear Friends,

We thank all of you who responded so quickly to the Sign On Statement on
Debt and Disaster we sent out starting December 28. We are sending you in
a short while, the compilation of the initial list of signatories as of
this morning of January 4. If you or your organization have not yet signed
on, we are still collecting signatures.

January 6 Release

We are planning to send you the statement again with the list of
signatories thus far on JANUARY 6 - the occasion of the International
Tsunami Summit of Governments to be held in Indonesia so ALL OF US can
circulate the statement and signatories to media, governments, and
international institutions.

Various Forms of Actions

In addition, we are urging all debt campaigns, social and political
movements, NGOs and peoples' organizations to hold various forms of
actions in the coming days calling on the IMF, WB and ADB and creditor
governments for immediate and unconditional cancellation of the debts of
disaster afflicted countries. It would be great if we can start the
mobilizations on January 6, as our movements in the Philippines and
Indonesia will try to do.

Continuing the Sign-On

In consideration of other offices which are resuming operations only later
this week after the holidays, we will continue to compile signatories
after January 6 and re-release another list by mid January. We will also
try to release other appropriate and timely versions of the basic
statement, with your prior permission of course.

Debts of All of the South

In asking for immediate debt cancellation for these countries, let us not
forget other countries and peoples of the South who may not have been hit
by tsunami and typhoons in the last few weeks but who suffer many deaths
from hunger and disease and massive displacement of communities from
disastrous policies. The call for debt cancellation for these countries
are no less urgent.

Again, our deepest thanks for the responses!

In solidarity,
Lidy Nacpil, for Jubilee South

Data

An initial compilation of data on multilateral and
bilateral debt of the tsunami and typhoon afflicted countries.
Multilateral and bilateral debts are only part of the external debt of
South countries but we can begin with that.

Table: Debt data on Countries devastated by indian Ocean Tsunami and other recent calamities