By: Liya Khan (volunteer)
Climate change, conflict, and forced displacement have chronically worsened progress in eliminating extreme poverty, disproportionately affecting the world's most vulnerable. These emergencies have left an alarming 224 million crisis-impacted children without access to quality education. As disasters continue to intensify, driving global surges in infectious diseases and food insecurity, millions of additional children are experiencing malnutrition and growth failures.
As UN Secretary-General António Guterres properly put it, “In a world of unprecedented wealth, knowledge, and technologies, the denial of basic needs for so many is outrageous and inexcusable.” The choice is clear: We must shift resources from conflict to sustainable community development.
Canada's leadership role in the G7 this June makes this the perfect opportunity to set an example of our commitment to global well-being. In budget 2025, Canada must invest an additional $650 million per year in the International Assistance Envelope—an investment to rebuild health systems and, most importantly, in the people who rely on them.
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