Latin America
MCC has programs in 10 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. In response to the concerns raised by MCC's Latin American partners and friends, the Washington Office encourages more just and peaceful U.S. policies toward the nations of Latin America. ColombiaPan y Paz (Bread and Peace) - September 21Church and faith based organizations throughout Colombia are preparing to celebrate Pan y Paz or Bread and Peace on September 21, which is designated by the United Nations as International Day of Peace, Nonviolence, and Ceasefire. "Bread and Peace is an event that gives Colombian churches an opportunity to publicly express the importance of peace and economic justice for their community and country. Many churches that participate in "Bread and Peace" make peace and justice related work a year round focus,” said Shalom Wiebe, national coordinator of the effort. The United States gives hundreds of millions of dollars to Colombia each year, with about 80 percent of it going toward military aid. The assistance is given under the guise of both the War on Drugs and the War on Terrorism, and allows the Colombian government to fumigate illegal coca crops, build up its military and use paid informants to testify falsely against human rights workers and religious leaders. Thousands have been arbitrarily detained and over 700 people are displaced from their homes each day as a result of guerilla, paramilitary and military action. The Washington Office, echoing the voice of the Colombian Mennonite church, supports a political, negotiated peace process; increased social funding for Colombia, and drug policy that addresses the demand in the United States. See the Latin America Working Group's Blueprint for a New Colombia Policy.
HaitiHaiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and much of Haiti can be lifted if not for unjust economic policies. Haiti spends more money in unfair debt payments than on healthcare, education and other social programs. Haiti's debt is both un-payable and unjust. Nearly half of the country's $1.3 billion debt was accrued under the Duvalier family dictatorship and used to finance the Duvaliers' lavish lifestyle and support their brutal, 29-year rule. The Haitian people continue to pay interest on these loans. This is money that could be used to invest in health care or education in a country where almost a quarter of children under five are chronically malnourished and only 35% of students are able to complete primary school. In 2006, Haiti was added to the World Bank and IMF's list of heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) eligible for debt cancellation. However, Haiti will not see this relief until 2009 at the earliest by which time the country will have paid $138 million in debt services. The Washington Office actively works to alleviate Haiti's debt and calls for just economic policies.
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