"Debt, corruption and tax evasion are part of why
people die in West Africa," stated Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of
Jubilee USA, a religious development coalition. "The money was there to
contain Ebola and save more people from preventable diseases."
Guinea, where the outbreak began, spent more on debt
payments in 2012 than it spent on public health. Guinea spent $207 million on
debt payments in 2013 and 2012.
The Ebola-affected countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra
Leone lose an average of $1.4 billion each year to corruption, debt payments
and tax evasion. New World Bank data indicates the countries spent over $80
million on debt payments in 2013, the year the outbreak began. According to the
World Bank, the countries spent a total of $270 million on public health in
2012.
According to the Financial Times, the three countries owe
the International Monetary Fund (IMF) nearly $480 million. Sierra Leone spent
$2.3 million paying off debts since the IMF announced a debt relief plan in
November and will spend nearly $2 million more before the end of the year. The
three countries accrued much of their current debt burden during civil wars,
dictatorships and one-party rule.
Developing countries lose nearly $1 trillion each year to
illicit flows. From 2003 - 2012, Liberia lost more than $900 million annually
on average, while Guinea lost more than $300 million.
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