Jersey 'should give more' in overseas aid says senator
- 29 April 2013
- From the section Jersey
Jersey should aim to increase its overseas aid donation, according to the chairman of the committee responsible.
Senator Paul Routier said he would like to aim for an amount closer to the UN target of 0.7% of gross national income (GNI).
In 2011 taxpayers in the island contributed over £8m to developing countries, which is about 0.2% of the island's GNI.
Senator Routier said Jersey could donate more to overseas aid.
He said: "The Treasury Minister is a supporter of overseas aid, and wants us to increase our giving... we don't have a timetable [to get to 0.7%], we just want to be realistic about what we can do."
Lyn Wilton, of the Association of Jersey Charities, said most people wanted their donations to go to local causes.
She said: "The majority prefer their money to stay local, perhaps because they have such an affinity with their island. They want to see money used for local charities."
In 2011, Guernsey gave 0.14% of its GNI in overseas aid. The Isle of Man gave 0.07%, and in the UK, Primer Minister David Cameron has pledged to give 0.7%.