Muslim Aid has expressed concern that last week’s G20 summit (26-27 June 2010) failed to spell out concrete plans to help developing countries. As the global recession continues to take its toll on the poor, Muslim Aid believes that more needs to be done by the developed countries to address global poverty, besides focusing on fiscal consolidation and growth of their economies.

The CEO of Muslim Aid, Syed Sharfuddin said: “To come out of this crisis collectively, G20 leaders must help developing nations with such measures as increasing access to financial services and helping small and medium-sized enterprises.”

Muslim Aid’s current microfinance programmes operating in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia and Pakistan have positively promoted economic growth for sustainable development, including SMEs. Over 68,000 beneficiaries, of which 95% are women, have benefitted from microfinance programmes.

Muslim Aid urged leading world economies to take concrete measures to restore public confidence in capital markets and reaffirm their earlier pledges to developing countries. Recognising the significance of the G20, Muslim Aid insists it should not miss any opportunity to act on its commitments to help fight global poverty.

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Notes to Editors

• Muslim Aid is a UK based relief and development agency established in 1985 and working in over 70 countries with field offices in Bangladesh, Bosnia, Cambodia, Gambia, Indonesia, India,  Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Sudan.  Muslim Aid works with all in need, regardless of their race, religion, gender, nationality or political opinion. Muslim Aid programmes include emergency relief; capacity building through water, sanitation and health programmes; education and skills training; micro-financing and income generation and orphan care. Apart from supplying practical help, Muslim Aid tackles poverty by developing sustainable solutions, advocating for a more just and sustainable future.
• For further information about the work of Muslim Aid and its overseas field branches, please visit Muslim Aid website at www.muslimaid.org or contact Communications Manager Michelle Davis on +44 0207 377 4200 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it