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British minister says UN unfit to lead poverty fight

Reuters

December 5, 2008

LONDON (Reuters) - A British minister sharply attacked the United Nations on Thursday, saying the organisation was not fit to lead the world's drive to eradicate poverty.

The criticism is telling because Britain is one of the biggest funders of the United Nations, spending $1 billion a year through the U.N. system, according to the government.

"Reform is urgent. Presently the U.N. is not fit for purpose to lead the world's response to eradicating poverty and tackling the climate crisis," International Development Minister Gareth Thomas told U.N. and government officials in Kenya.

Thomas, speaking at the end of a fact-finding mission to assess the U.N.'s work in Africa, called for reform in areas such as the United Nations' leadership, humanitarian assistance and performance.

His demand that the United Nations meet tough performance targets comes as the U.N. and aid partners voice fears that countries will cut back on aid commitments as the global financial crisis puts their budgets under pressure.

The United Nations asked for a record $7 billion last month to help 30 million people recover from disasters and conflict in the coming year, the largest appeal in its history.

Britain is setting performance targets for the U.N., focusing on health, help for new mothers and their babies and tackling HIV and AIDS, Thomas said, according to a statement released by his department in London.

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