between macro-economic objectives and the national poverty reduction goals. It is achallenge to help governments carry out the needed liberalisation of their economies in a mannerthat does not create or enhance vulnerability. The humanitarian actors have already seen theemergence of new vulnerability in this context in Asia and in Eastern Europe. The InternationalFederation`s programme for helping people survive the winter in Russia is now a sad and regularfeature of our annual appeal. When new needs occur, humanitarian actors must adapt theirprogrammes and activities. But we also possess extensive knowledge on how, and why,vulnerability increases and would be pleased to advise concerned governments and institutions. The next question is how to include the countries engaged in a constant fight against disaster and disease? Health problems are a major impediment to development and to globalisation. Thedetrimental effects of poor health on school attendance and productivity is well known. ALondon School of Economics study estimates that controlling malaria in parts of Africa wouldlead to a 20% increase in GDP over 15 years. The economic effect of the HIV/AIDS pandemic isdevastating. In the most affected African countries, new problems are emerging - a smallerworkforce, a lack of teachers, a large number of orphans and impoverishment in order to pay forthe indispensable treatments. Increased market access will not benefit these countries unless wefirst help them fight HIV/AIDS. In addition to maintaining a consistent focus on HIV/AIDS,which is one of our priorities, the International Federation advocates strongly for improvingvulnerable people`s access to affordable drugs. When natural disasters strike, decades ofdevelopment are destroyed. My distinguished panellist colleague from El Salvador can certainlyconfirm this. The countries most prone to natural disasters need assistance in order to strengthentheir di...
