David Cameron, the Prime Minister of Britain, joined the 2015 Global Citizen Festival from a refugee camp in Lebanon, a country of 4.5 million people that houses 1.1 million Syrian refugees.

Needless to say, Lebanon is showing the world that supporting refugees is not up for discussion: it's a moral imperative. 

But supporting all these refugees in a small country is extremely difficult. Lebanon's social services are becoming strained. Recently, they announced plans to educate another 200,000 refugee children, not because new schools and teachers were suddenly discovered, but because schools are going to be running double shifts. Even still, another 200,000 Syrian kids remain out of school.  

Standing within the camp, David Cameron emphasized that countries like Lebanon need the support of wealthy countries. The refugee crisis needs to be solved at the root, but until then, refugees have to be provided for and this means funds have to be summoned. Lots of funds. 

Britain sets an example for the rest of the world to follow by committing more than 0.7% of its Gross National Income to Official Development Assistance, or ODA. 

Developed nations pledged to meet this benchmark rate back in the 1970's, but only 5 countries in the world actually risen to this challenge. And Britain is the largest economy among them. 

David Cameron encouraged other world leaders to support this worthy cause, especially in a time of such dire need when more refugees arrive on the shores of Europe each day. 

Britain has been criticized for its treatment of refugees trying to find asylum within its borders, but it also deserves applause for the aid it has committed in the countries shouldering the bulk of the refugee crisis. 

You can go to TAKE ACTION NOW to call on world leaders to increase their foreign aid commitments. 

Editorial

Defeat Poverty

Amid refugees, David Cameron calls for global aid pledge

By Joe McCarthy