UK Aid Reductions to African Countries Reach Up to 90%, Alarming Aid Charities Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The United Kingdom’s foreign aid budget cuts have resulted in dramatic reductions in bilateral support for several African nations, with some aid charities reporting reductions of up to 90%.
The Foreign Office’s annual report outlines the impending reductions, which are set to affect Mozambique, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Somalia by 2029. Romilly Greenhill, the chief executive of Bond, the umbrella group for development charities, has expressed concerns that these cuts could leave communities on the frontlines of conflict and the climate crisis without essential support, potentially plunging these countries into poverty and instability.
The Labour government’s decision to reallocate funds from overseas aid to the defense budget, announced last year, has been met with criticism.
The shift in focus has seen the UK prioritizing multilateral donors such as the World Bank, which supporters argue is a more efficient use of resources. Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, explained the cuts in a written statement to parliament, emphasizing a transition away from high levels of grant ODA (overseas development assistance) in certain countries, while maintaining high ambition and effort through modernized partnerships.
However, charities like Save the Children have warned that the reduction in direct support to individual countries could jeopardize vital projects and send a concerning message about the UK’s role on the international stage.
As the UK prepares to chair the G20 next year, aid charities are urging the incoming prime minister and foreign secretary to use this opportunity to champion global reforms addressing poverty and inequality among marginalized communities.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: The guardian
Source: Heather Stewart
