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Governments across Europe are planning to divert scarce development aid budgets to cover security and defense costs, anti-poverty campaigners understand.

Today, the European Commission published its proposal for the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The MFF will determine the architecture and the financial amounts of the EU’s budget for the next seven years (2021-2027).Oxfam’s Policy Advisor, Hanna Saarinen, said:“The proposal shows that the EU is abandoning its ambition to be the global leader in international development. The EU is more concerned with pushing its own agenda than delivering on its commitments to the sustainable development goals. Despite increasing the amount of funds allocated…

The governments of rich states today cleared the way for the diversion of development aid away from the poorest.

Today, EU member states have proposed a spending increase of 10 percent in 2019 for the EU’s external policies compared to this year’s budget. However, governments are focusing on the wrong issues, Oxfam, Save the Children, DSW and IPPF EN say. The organizations argue a strong focus on human development is needed to counter increasing inequalities and make sure no one is left behind.

Development aid has reached an all-time high, but with 900 million people still living in extreme poverty much more needs to be done, says Oxfam.

The EU has decided its budget for 2018 with cuts long-term development aid that helps the poorest people. A coalition of development NGOs criticised the EU for putting its own short-term interests ahead of the people most in need.