■ 12 SOUND AND VISION
UK registered charity number 1105851; company number 5171525 Northern Ireland charity number XR94639; company number NI059154 Republic of Ireland charity number CHY 6998; company number 426928 Scotland charity number SC039150
020 7620 4444
INEVITABLY, there’s only one story to lead this edition of Christian Aid News – the appalling aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, which struck Burma on 2 May. We’ve all grown used to seeing harrowing images of destruction, hearing stories of death and survival, and responding to victims’ plight as appeal follows disaster around the world. What’s especially heartbreaking this time, of course, is how the natural disaster has become a man-made catastrophe as the Burmese regime tries to keeps the world and its aid at bay. But Christian Aid is there – and through our network of local partners we have been able to ensure that aid bought with your donations can reach those who need it. Read our report from inside Burma on page 10. Yet Burma is not the only story that deserves your attention in this issue of Christian Aid News. One you must read is our report on the consequences of tax dodging – how US$160 billion a year in corporate taxes is lost to the developing world, money that could be channelled to priority areas such as health and education. Our report on Death and taxes: the true toll of tax dodging is on pages 12-16. And then there’s Zimbabwe. Again, Christian Aid’s partners are there, picking up the pieces of the fall-out from the 29 March elections. As voters who dared oppose President Mugabe flee from violent retribution, organisations supported by Christian Aid have been providing refuge and documenting the violence. Elsewhere, our Climate changed campaign looks towards Copenhagen; two fashion icons looked at a remarkable project in Brazil; and there’s a round-up of Christian Aid Week. If you took part in a sponsored event, or Quizaid night, or knocked on doors… thank you. Your efforts are hugely appreciated. Roger Fulton, editor
Contents Summer 2008 Issue 40
■ 10 AID FOR CYCLONE VICTIMS
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■ 30 THE LAST WORD Actor Peter Egan has all the answers
REGULARS ■ 4 NEWS
Responding to disasters in Burma and FEATURES China – and the crisis in Zimbabwe… ■ 8 A GOOD WEEK’S WORK youth volunteers leave for Africa… A look back at some of the highlights ■ 17 REFLECTION of Christian Aid Week A country on a knife edge. Africa ■ 10 SURVIVORS’ STORIES specialist Judith Melby on a struggle for power – and a future – in Zimbabwe A report from inside Burma on how victims of the cyclone are coping ■ 20 CAMPAIGNS ■ 12 SPECIAL REPORT: TAX Make Copenhagen count for the world’s poor – the rallying cry goes out DODGING – THE NEW SLAVERY How corporate tax evasion is costing to our climate change campaigners the developing world a fortune in ■ 23 COMMENT lost revenue Haiti partner Raymond Pershony on ■ 18 FASHION IN THE FAVELAS how the food crisis is biting Fashionistas Pearl and Daisy Lowe ■ 24 INPUT see a triumph for style over poverty Your letters and emails ■ 22 SOUND AND VISION ■ 26 DO THE RIGHT THING Innovative projects developed to How you can use your skills to help us tackle the stigma of HIV ■ 28 EVENTS ■ 30 EVERY DROP COUNTS Where to go and what to do, plus Gardening tips: what you can learn the story of two cyclists’ courageous from farmers fighting drought efforts on behalf of Christian Aid
8 Christian Aid News is printed on 100 per cent recycled paper
ACT International
Editor’s letter
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Christian Aid works with the world’s poorest people in around 50 countries, regardless of race or faith. We tackle the causes and consequences of poverty and injustice. We are part of ACT International, the ecumenical relief network.
■ Cover Children in a village where around 100 people, a quarter of the population, were killed by Cyclone Nargis. Photo: Alayung Thaksin/Panos ■ Pictures Brenda Hayward ■ Sub-editors Lucy Southwood and Sophy Kershaw ■ Circulation Ben Hayward ■ Design & production Bonnie Coupland/Circle Publishing, 020 8332 2709 ■ Christian Aid head office 35 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RL ■ Tel 020 7620 4444 ■ Fax 020 7620 0719 ■ Email info@christian-aid.org ■ Stay in touch with us online News, campaigns and resources www.christianaid.org.uk ■ Christian and ethical internet service provider www.surefish.co.uk ■ Children and schools www.globalgang.org ■ Our campaigning and student website www.pressureworks.org
Christian Aid News
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