This snapshot, taken on 22/04/2009, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.

How can we make sure that debt relief savings are spent on poor people?

Debt relief provides long-term predictable support to poor countries. The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative therefore includes provisions which aim to ensure that the money saved from debt relief benefits the poorest people.

Countries need to demonstrate their commitment to poverty reduction by:

  • Midwife in Ghanahaving a clear strategy in place that shows how they will tackle poverty
  • proving that they have good financial management systems in place that reduce the risk of corruption.

Countries have set their own priority targets to ensure the poorest benefit from debt relief.

Examples for such targets are:

  • more births attended by trained personnel
  • training of new teachers
  • increased number of textbooks in primary schools
  • improved debt management
  • more transparent reporting of government income
  • more transparent government procurement systems

Through its work in country, DFID supports governments to make progress towards these targets.