To the World Bank and International Monetary Fund,

Sub-Saharan Africa pays billions of dollars in interest payments on debt owed to Western institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) while millions of children go hungry everyday. Despite decades of sacrifices, the repayment of billions of dollars and the waiving of some of the debt, Sub-Saharan Africa’s debt continues to grow at alarming levels. In 1982, the debt was just $77 billion; by 1990 it had risen to $164 billion, an increase of 113 percent. For these institutions, the debt represents only a tiny fraction of their wealth. Yet, the burden on Sub-Saharan Africa is extreme. Sub-Saharan Africa is literally being bled dry, and its people (in particular the children) are the victims.

Sub-Saharan Africa consists of 47 countries with a total population of 900 million. However, 1 in 3 people or 300 million people go hungry everyday. This is equivalent to the total population of the United States.

A typical Sub-Saharan Africans daily diet consists of maize and/or pap. Maize is a type of vegetable, and Pap is a type of grain. These two foods only fulfill 2 out of 5 requirements of the recommended daily nutritional requirements. The lack of nutrition affects people’s muscles, kidneys and brain, as well as causing stunted growth and a variety of illnesses. The impact hits children the hardest, resulting in problems in mental, physical and emotional development.

Due to the obligation to service the debt, Sub-Saharan African countries are unable to fund investments in things like agriculture, infrastructure and education, which would directly benefit its people. Such investment would help bring millions of people out of extreme poverty and would ensure that people receive their basic nutritional requirements. Children would have access to better healthcare and education.

There is no time to lose - with every day that is wasted, a few thousand more people will die from extreme poverty and hunger. Let us send them a clear message that the debt owed by Sub-Saharan Africa must be cancelled! Show your support by signing the petition now.Sub-Saharan Africa consists of 47 countries with a total population of 900 million. However, 1 in 3 people or 300 million people go hungry everyday. This is equivalent to the total population of the United States.

A typical Sub-Saharan African’s daily diet consists of maize and/or pap. Maize is a type of vegetable, and Pap is a type of grain. These two foods only fulfill 2 out of 5 requirements of the recommended daily nutritional requirements. The lack of nutrition affects people’s muscles, kidneys and brain, as well as causing stunted growth and a variety of illnesses. The impact hits children the hardest, resulting in problems in mental, physical and emotional development.

Due to the obligation to service the debt, Sub-Saharan African countries are unable to fund investments in things like agriculture, infrastructure and education, which would directly benefit its people. Such investment would help bring millions of people out of extreme poverty and would ensure that people receive their basic nutritional requirements. Children would have access to better healthcare and education.

There is no time to lose - with every day that is wasted, a few thousand more people will die from extreme poverty and hunger. The World Bank and the IMF will be meeting on 20 October 2014, or 2 weeks from today. Let us send them a clear message that the debt owed by Sub-Sahara Africa must be cancelled! Show your support by signing the petition now.