1. Why cancel Third World debt?

Because debt kills. In the world's poorest countries, more is spent on debt repayments than on health and education. And it's children who are paying with their lives. The UN estimates that seven million children will die before the millennium unless the debt crisis is solved.

2. Why can't governments help their own citizens?

Because they simply can't afford to pay both the debt service and buy essentials, such as medicine and hospital care. In countries such as Zambia, hospitals lie empty because no one can afford the charges and even medicine for malaria and meningitis isn't available. Every year more children under five are dying from preventable diseases.

3. How much debt should be cancelled?

Around £100 billion needs to be cancelled. It sounds huge but this is the amount spent bailing out south-east Asia in last year's financial crisis, and less than two-thirds of US military spending each year.

4. But wouldn't taxpayers end up paying more?

The cost would be minimal and debt relief could even help us. Debt cripples business, trade, effective government. It's in our interests to have stronger trading partners overseas.

5. Whose fault is it that countries are indebted?

Both sides are at fault. During the 1970s and 1980s wealthy governments and banks made many irresponsible loans. Some money was squandered on ill-advised white-elephant projects or frittered away by corruption. And rising interest rates meant that even where loans were being repaid, the total kept rising - sometimes to a level far beyond that originally borrowed.

6. But aren't we giving them aid anyway?

For every £1 the West sends in aid, £9 comes straight back in debt repayments. In 1996, Comic Relief raised £26 million - but Africa repays this amount to financial institutions and governments every day. It's a terrible waste.

7. Aren't governments doing anything?

Some governments are. But it's too little, too late. Forty-one countries are being considered for debt relief by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, but they won't all get it. Even those who do may still be left with huge debts which they can't afford to pay. The absurdity is that even after debt relief, countries such as Mozambique are left paying the same amount as before - no closer to being able to pay for schools or hospitals than they were. It's a question which world leaders will be debating when they meet in Cologne this June at the G7 summit.

8. What about corruption?

Debt relief won't automatically help the poor. There must be guarantees that the money saved is put into health, education and other essential services, not into Swiss bank accounts. Governments and financial institutions must, and can, make sure this happens.

9. How do we ensure that debts don't pile up again?

Thousands of people, from Lusaka to Dublin, are campaigning to cancel unpayable debt. It's now a matter of public debate; politicians are being called to account. With this scrutiny, lenders can be made to lend more carefully and borrowers made to use funds productively. The ultimate guarantee is that governments are accountable to their citizens.

10. What can I do?

Christian Aid and the Jubilee 2000 Coalition are calling for a fresh start for the millennium: the cancellation of unpayable debt. To join the campaign in Ireland, you can call Christian Aid on (01) 496-6184, or write to the Irish co-ordinator of Jubilee 2000, Michael Begg, at Christchurch Presbyterian Church, Rathgar Road, Dublin 6; email caidroi@iol.ie