There is a little debate one wether or not dropping Haiti’s $890 million international debt would contribute to re-building a strong or weaker country. While you should research the issue, let us refer to a few points that ONE has posted on their website about the debt cancellation:
1. $93 billion has been canceled in sub-Saharan African countries since 1996.
2. Lesotho paid $47 million to its creditors in 2006, an amount equivalent to two-thirds of the development assistance it receives each year.
3. 3.1 million more Tanzanian children enrolled in school after the government used its savings from debt relief to eliminate school fees in 2001.
That last fact is quite astounding. Debt relief does seem to make a difference. Wherever you fall on this debate, make sure you do some researching (both in the news and in the Bible [remember the year of Jubilee]), and make a decision on the ONE Campaign’s “Drop the Debt” campaign.
To read more on debt relief, visit ONE’s website. Or, to read more about the “Drop the Debt” campaign and to sign the petition to cancel Haiti’s debt, click here.
About the Author
Nate Irvine
Nate Irvine works as the Director of Youth Evangelism and Discipleship for the Metropolitan Division of The Salvation Army. He makes his home on the north side of Chicago, and attends the Irving Park Corps. Graduated from Trinity International University with a BA in Biblical Studies and a minor in Spanish in 2006, he lives to see God's Kingdom here on Earth, and The Salvation Army live true to it's calling. When he's not working, he can probably be found watching hulu, enjoying music, or just hanging out.
