from Jubilee USA
NOTE: Pax Christi USA has signed onto this petition.
Since Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines, the world has responded with astounding generosity, donating hundreds of millions of dollars to aid in the recovery effort and pledging hundreds of millions more.
Unfortunately, since the typhoon struck on November 8, the Philippines has spent between $6 billion and $8 billion repaying debt, $22 million every single day by one estimate. Some of those debts originate from the corrupt and abusive regime of Ferdinand Marcos, who was responsible for the deaths of more than 3,000 Filipinos, and the torture of 35,000.
The Philippines needs resources to rebuild communities and protect vulnerable populations still dealing with homelessness, disease and malnutrition. Just a fraction of the money the country spends on debt could make a profound impact on the lives of Haiyan’s victims.
Join Jubilee USA in calling upon the World Bank and other lenders to grant an immediate moratorium on debt repayments during the rebuilding process, with a view toward debt cancellation.