Oxfam Scotland welcomes scottish budget plans for maintaining commitments on international development and highlighted that international aid is more essential than ever because of the effect the global economic crisis is having on the world's poorest countries and poorest communities.

Commenting, Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said:

"Oxfam work in over 70 countries around the world and we know from our everyday work on the ground in the world's poorest countries that the global recession is hitting the very poorest communities and families hardest.

"Indeed the United Nations estimate that over 73 million more people will be trapped in poverty by the end of this year because of the crisis and the World Bank estimate that over 200,000 more infants could die. It is also estimated that the number of people facing chronic hunger will rise to one billion by the end of the year. That is why maintaining existing commitments to those most in need is essential.

"We know that the Scottish public have always strongly supported work to eradicate global poverty, in good times as well as bad, and hope that the existing cross-party consensus on the importance of aid spending remains."