Bill Gates in Madrid: Spanish aid saves lives

Today Bill Gates joined ONE members and Spanish activists in Madrid to highlight the important message that Spanish aid saves lives.

The event was timed to coincide with Bill Gates’ visit to Madrid where he met policymakers including President Mariano Rajoy to talk about global poverty. Spain’s development aid has helped save millions of lives by treating and preventing disease and empowering people in their fight against poverty.

Adrian Lovett, Europe Director, ONE said:

“These are tough times for many Spanish people, but they can feel enormously proud that their aid is saving lives. For the cost of less than a cent in every euro, Spanish aid is having a powerful effect. ONE’s 20,000 Spanish members will keep working to highlight the life-saving effect of smart aid and call on politicians to build on Spain’s record.”

Mr Gates, a strong supporter of expanding opportunities to the world’s most disadvantaged people, joined members of the public gathered in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor to show a deep sense of solidarity with the world’s poor, by displaying a giant 15 meter earth-shaped banner with the message “Spanish Aid Saves Lives”.

Bill Gates said:

“Spain’s investments in global health and development save and dramatically improve the lives of the world’s poorest. My hope is Spain continues to play such an important role, even in the toughest times.”

Representing Spanish campaigners, NGDO director Eduardo Sánchez Jacob said:

“The Spanish National NGDO Platform reminds the Government that in the face of a crisis of global dimensions, the measures taken must be also global and should protect before all else basic social services and social welfare, within Spain as well as in impoverished countries.”

You can read more about the impact of aid on ONE’s Living Proof website.

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