18 June 2009: As EU leaders gathered in Brussels, Plan Europe - as partner of Action for Global Health - joined a coalition of French NGOs demanding the EU implement the currency transaction levy to finance health services in developing countries.

EU powers could save children in need

In a stunt devised for visual impact, “super-heroes” wore masks of EU leaders and turned a Bureau-de-change into a pharmacy so as to save lives.

The current multiple crises, including food, climate, and economic downturn, are adversely affecting people in the North leading to serious social and economic consequences. However, developing countries, integrated into this international financial system, are suffering even more as foreign investment dries up and commodity prices and exports fall rapidly. To make it worse, international development aid – promised in wealthy times – decreases.

“Our action today demonstrates how EU leaders could help save the lives of people across the world. Using powers only they have, they can transform money markets and currency speculators into providers and supporters of health care for the most in need such as children in developing countries,” said Sabine Terlecki, communication and advocacy officer of Plan EU Liaison office, one of the Brussels partners of Action for Global Health.

Currency transaction levy exposed

The event was well attended by journalists including 3 TV crews and 7 photographers. The journalists were informed of the details of the currency transaction levy being proposed by Civil Society organisations to fund health care in developing countries. This levy would be imposed on the sale of European currencies at the “micro-tax” level of 0.005%, yet be able to raise between 30 and 60 billion Euros each year.

“This reduction in funding is having dramatic implications in terms of access to health services, education and sufficient food, making children in developing countries even more vulnerable to further threats,” said Deepali Sood, Head of Plan EU Liaison office.

Already now a child born in a developing country is over 13 times more likely to die within their first 5 years than a child in an industrialised country. The economic crisis could add an additional 200,000-400,000 infant deaths.  

The currency transaction levy has been supported by the Belgian State and the current French government; it has featured among the recommendations a “High Level Task Force” jointly chaired by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and head of the World Bank Robert Zoelick, and is strongly supported by civil society organisations.

The event in Brussels today was organised by a coalition of NGOs including Action for Global Health partners in France and Brussels, as well as the French AIDS NGOs coalition PLUS and AIDES.