​Global justice campaign urges Scottish Government to up its efforts to help the poorest

Over 6,000 SCIAF campaigners have urged Scotland’s First Minister to do more to protect the world’s poorest people.

The international development charity’s Put People and Planet First campaign is asking Nicola Sturgeon to do everything she can to make sure the Scottish Government meets its climate change targets.

It also wants it to ensure Scottish businesses working overseas uphold the highest international human rights standards and that policies across government help, and not harm, people living in poverty.

SCIAF’s director Alistair Dutton and campaigners met with Alasdair Allan MSP, the Scottish Government’s minister for international development and Europe.

People who are poor and suffer injustice in developing countries often struggle to live at all

Dutton handed over 6,000 signed cards from SCIAF campaigners to the minister and highlighted the work of the charity which helps some of the poorest people in the world to work their way out of poverty.

He said: “The Scottish Government must do everything it can fight poverty at home and overseas. People who are poor and suffer injustice in developing countries often struggle to live at all, and repeatedly tell us how life is becoming harder and harder because of their changing climate. We have a responsibility to help them survive and prosper.

“Businesses have a vital role to play in tackling poverty and hunger around the world but sometimes they harm poor communities and the environment. That’s why we want the government to help Scottish companies meet the highest international human rights standards.

“We welcome the government’s commitment to stopping climate change and its decision to increase the Climate Justice Fund.

“Scotland must recognise its moral responsibility for what it has contributed to climate change and do its fair share to stop the average global temperature rising beyond the dangerous threshold of 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. More ambition, commitment and action are needed to meet our climate targets. We also need to make sure that policies throughout Government help, and not harm, people living in poverty overseas.”

The minister replied: “The Scottish Government will do all it can to deliver on our ambition to make our country a global leader on international development. Scotland has a unique contribution to offer the world through our people’s expertise on climate change and energy, education, health improvement and research.

“Through the Scottish Government’s international development fund, we have invested over £80 million since 2005 in developing countries and we are now assisting SCIAF and other aid agencies to help those affected by worsening food shortages in Malawi. We recently announced match funding, up to £70,000, for every pound raised by SCIAF’s public appeal until 31 October.

“We are also implementing the new global Sustainable Development Goals, both domestically and through our international work.”

SCIAF’s director is currently doing a week-long 200-mile cycle to urge people across Scotland to help the charity’s work with some of the poorest people in the world.