Ten years ago, world leaders came together and set out targets aimed at meeting the needs of the world's poorest.
But just how do you get food, an education, or indeed realise any of the six other Millennium Development Goals when a country has no solid transport infrastructure?
It is clear that in neglecting transport, the UN has failed to take note of just how dependent we are on it...
Researching development these past few months, I can't say I've been bowled over by talk of transport infrastructure. One would be forgiven for thinking it was taboo.
I can't quite believe how little emphasis is put on such a vital part of life. It reminded me of my recent interview with WaterAid, which ended with the line, '... we're talking about toilets and taps, it's hardly revolutionary.' It's that very same common sense approach that Maria talked to me about: 'It's the people who know nothing about it who are made responsible. But the Government isn't God, it has to have the support of the private sector. Beyond that, the solutions have to be workable, you cannot just impose things.'
Wanting to see for myself what it is like in a developing country I made my way around Morocco, armed with my Flip camera...
And so, recent progress in Morocco (and India) prove that a bit of education, alongside some government lobbying works wonders.
Recognising the importance of road safety and investing in transport infrastructure will not only smooth the path to all eight of the MDGS, but save millions of lives too. Surely we can't afford to go on forgetting about this...
(Image courtesy of www.acagamic.com)
I believe that corruption enters also on developing countries and its transportation; in Mexico some roads do not work properly because people that construct them “save” money on the material they use: and this is why they break easily…
When I was in Tanzania they had a real issue with the heavy rains washing away the roads -and as Andrea said, it might well be a case of cutting corners (excuse the pun).
It really is neglected - I guess it’s a case of who has the remit for but infrastructure projects and who has a reason to draw attention to them…
very good point. in fact it’s a topic for a long post. And transport for me doesn’t really mean only roads but also culture of driving and police control. once i read in some Tanzanian newspaper that car crash is one of the most serious cause of death. There is no technical control of cars or speed…
Really great point Lara. Without transport links, communications infrastructure and plumbing, there is only so far that development can go. Trouble is, roads and toilets make for a lousy charity drive. It’s not sexy enough for people to donate to.
That’s exactly the problem - too dull to donate - but surely once people realise how vital it is, that attitude might change?