The majority of large anti-poverty programs fail because they are either based on the donor's perception of what is needed in various countries around the world, and/or these programs don't provide enough support for national and local governments to administer these plans on a sustained basis, according to a new report issued by the U.N. Development Program (UNDP).

The "UNDP Poverty Report 2000", issued this week, calls for better-coordinated efforts by the governments of developing nations -- since they understand what such programs may require -- and for program funders to make long-term commitments to anti-poverty efforts.

"Many donors still rely on a hit-and-miss project approach, bypassing the government, dispersing efforts and eroding sustainability," the report states.

A key element to more efficient programs is for these nations to set specific timetables to eliminate extreme poverty or greatly reduce overall poverty. At the same time, these governments should commit to "free and fair" regular elections, thus ensuring they will be accountable to their citizens, the report states.

This commitment also means policy decisions regarding poverty programs would move closer to local government and communities, requiring these groups to "organize themselves to advance their interests," according to the report.

While these are primarily internal changes, the UNDP called on wealthier nations to provide debt relief to third-world nations without reducing current aid levels or adding other conditions to this relief.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked member nations to use their resources to bring more than 1 billion people out of extreme poverty within the next 15 years.

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http://www.undp.org/dpa/pressrelease/releases/
2000/april/4apr00.htm