G7 Spends 62 Times More on Weapons Than Aid, as Military Spending Surges to Record Levels

By Islamic Relief Worldwide
Global Research, June 17, 2024
Islamic Relief Worldwide 12 June 2024
Theme:

All Global Research articles can be read in 51 languages by activating the Translate Website button below the author’s name (only available in desktop version).

To receive Global Research’s Daily Newsletter (selected articles), click here.

Click the share button above to email/forward this article to your friends and colleagues. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter and subscribe to our Telegram Channel. Feel free to repost and share widely Global Research articles.

Give Truth a Chance. Secure Your Access to Unchained News, Donate to Global Research.

***

G7 countries have increased military spending to record levels while slashing humanitarian aid to help people affected by war, Islamic Relief says as G7 leaders meet in Italy for their 50th annual summit (13-15 June).

Military expenditure by G7 nations surged to $1.2 trillion last year, an increase of 7.3% on the year before1 and 62 times what they spent on all humanitarian aid responding to wars and disasters.

Meanwhile G7 contributions to humanitarian aid appeals for the biggest global crises dropped from $27.5 billion in 2022 to $20.1 billion last year2 – a 27% cut and just 1.6% of what was spent on military last year.

With conflict, security and immigration high on this week’s G7 Summit agenda, Islamic Relief is calling on the bloc to invest more in helping people whose lives have been destroyed and uprooted by war. The summit comes as the killing and displacement of civilians in places such as Gaza and Sudan continues unabated, and the number of conflict-related deaths has reached the highest level in three decades3.

Islamic Relief is also calling for G7 nations – and other governments – to end arms sales to states where there are serious risks of international law being violated, such as Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Shahin Ashraf, Islamic Relief’s head of global advocacy, says: “From Gaza to Sudan, Ukraine to Myanmar we see millions of lives destroyed by war. The humanitarian needs today are greater than ever before, so it’s scandalous that many wealthy G7 nations are cutting aid while spending more than ever before on weapons. Too many governments are putting far more resources towards acquiring weapons of war than helping those suffering the deadly impacts of conflict. More must be invested in eradicating poverty and fostering peace and development, not fuelling war and destruction.”

The trend in G7 countries increasing military spending while cutting humanitarian aid is mirrored by other governments, with global military expenditure increasing to $2.44 trillion last year – a rise of 6.8% from the year before – according to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

While some of the discussions at the G7 summit focus on restricting immigration into rich developed nations, most people displaced by conflict remain in war-torn countries and impoverished neighbouring countries. After more than a year of brutal war, Sudan is now the world’s biggest displacement crisis with over 10 million people – about a quarter of the population – now forced from their homes. The vast majority of people fleeing the violence in Sudan remain in the country, with many receiving aid from local communities, youth groups and mosques.

Shahin Ashraf says: “As rich nations increasingly shut their borders and cut aid, in places like Sudan it is heartening to see the generosity of some of the world’s poorest communities taking displaced people into their homes and sharing their food and water with them. But they need more international support, especially from the wealthiest countries.”

*

Note to readers: Please click the share button above. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter and subscribe to our Telegram Channel. Feel free to repost and share widely Global Research articles.

Notes

1 Based on Islamic Relief analysis of data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

2 Based on Islamic Relief analysis of data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

3 New research by the Peace Research Institute Oslo (Prio) shows that deaths, including those of civilians, from civil conflicts and battles worldwide between 2021-2023 rose to the highest levels in 30 years.

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). The Centre for Research on Globalization will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article. The Centre of Research on Globalization grants permission to cross-post Global Research articles on community internet sites as long the source and copyright are acknowledged together with a hyperlink to the original Global Research article. For publication of Global Research articles in print or other forms including commercial internet sites, contact: [email protected]

www.globalresearch.ca contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available to our readers under the provisions of "fair use" in an effort to advance a better understanding of political, economic and social issues. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving it for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material for purposes other than "fair use" you must request permission from the copyright owner.

For media inquiries: [email protected]