World's most exposed and vulnerable will suffer

A letter signed by 38 leaders of NGOs from across the UK has urged the UK Government to reverse its decision to cut the international aid budget.

NGOs have written an open letter to the prime minister and the Treasury, saying the decision will lead to the closure of programmes supporting marginalised communities facing poverty, conflict and climate change.

The groups, which include Save the Children UK, Oxfam GB, World Vision UK, ONE, Christian Aid, Action Aid UK, Islamic Relief, Amref UK and CAFOD, warn that the move will “destroy Labour’s legacy on international development” and leave the “government’s ambition to be a reliable development partner on the global stage in tatters”. 

Coordinated through Bond, the letter states that previous UK aid cuts and the current US aid freeze have already shown their impact: children are now at risk of missing out on vaccines, girls may lose access to education, and healthcare services in refugee camps are being withdrawn.

“This move will also destroy Labour’s legacy on international development and will leave your manifesto commitments and the government's ambition to be a reliable development partner on the global stage in tatters,” the NGOs say.

They add: “It is alarming that the UK is now following in the US’s footsteps and has accepted the false choice of cutting the already diminished UK aid to fund defence.

“We implore you to reverse this decision before significant damage is done to both the UK’s development and humanitarian work and its global reputation.”

The organisations state that, at a time when the US retreats from the world, Labour should honour its promise to turn the page on international development and once again become a reliable partner on the world stage.

“Anything less will cost lives and significantly damage our long-term interests,” the letter concludes.