And all of the HIPCs face the challenge of turning poverty reduction strategies into results, and ensuring that debt does not again become a barrier to social progress. These are not easy problems, but the IMF and World Bank are looking for solutions with poverty reduction the central focus. Debt relief under the HIPC Initiative will remove a critical obstacle to poverty reduction and growth from the path of poor countries, but it is no panacea. Without renewed growth, these countries could once again fall into a debt trap. We are working with the countries to lay the foundations for sustained growth through good policies.
More outside help is also essential.