Any Cut to UK Aid Budget Will Cause Permanent Damage

Ahead of this week’s one year spending review by the UK government, global organisation Mercy Corps is calling for the government to maintain its commitment to the 0.7% spend on international aid, warning that even a temporary reduction risks permanent consequences to the lives of millions of the most vulnerable already fighting the long-term impacts of COVID-19 and the climate crisis.

Alexandra Angulo, Interim Executive Director of Mercy Corps, said:

"An estimated 115 million more people are due to fall into poverty this year, reversing decades of social growth, and resulting in previously unseen levels of food shortages and hunger - something we are seeing first hand in the countries where we work.

"As the long term global economic effects of COVID-19 set in, and the impacts of the climate crisis continue to devastate the lives and livelihoods of entire communities, this is the worst possible time to reduce the amount spent on delivering international aid.

"Even a temporary cut to foreign aid spending will result in long-term, perhaps irreversible, consequences for the most vulnerable communities across the world. Going back on our commitment at this point risks allowing communities - and in some cases entire countries - to sink into poverty traps that they may never recover from. 

"The UK stands at the forefront of delivering international support, building peace in conflict-affected areas and leading the fight against the climate crisis. We urge the government to maintain our world-leading commitment to international development at a time when Global Britain has never been needed more."