U.S. billionaire Bill Gates says life-saving health and agricultural aid for poor countries is at risk as governments facing budget strains consider cutting foreign aid.
In a 24-page letter released Monday, Gates said it is in the self-interest of rich countries to continue aiding poor nations for the health and stability of the world.
Gates highlights the need to continue spending money to help fight global health problems including polio, malaria and AIDS.
He says a major focus should be on cutting the cost of treatments that already exist so they can be administered to more people.
Gates says prevention efforts cost far less than treating diseases. He cites the benefits of child vaccinations, which can prevent diseases that harm a child's mental development.
Gates also called on nations to continue aid for agriculture, which he says helps farmers increase productivity and improve nutrition.
He praised British Prime Minister David Cameron's pledge last week to increase his country's contribution toward eradicating polio, despite the government's efforts to cut its own budget. Gates said Britain “set a great example by keeping its promise to grow aid.”
Gates is the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which works to fight hunger and poverty in developing countries and aids education initiatives in the United States. The foundation says it has committed $24 billion in grants since its inception.
Posted in Americas
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