Britain’s commitment to “leave no one behind” will be left at risk by FCO and DFID merger

Following the British Prime Minister's announcement of a merger between DFID and the FCO today, Mercy Corps' Executive Director, Simon O'Connell, says:

"Britain’s commitment to “leave no one behind” will be left at risk by the proposed FCO and DFID merger.

"UK aid is world class, innovative and evidence-based. It delivers impact for the most vulnerable communities around the world, is vital to Britain’s global reputation and influence, and has never been more needed than right now. Furthermore, it is embedded with a value for money approach that makes aid spending go further.

"A strategy that encompasses foreign policy, trade and development can often be an effective way to bring about transformative change. However, by merging DFID and the FCO, we are in danger of our vision for a stable, prosperous and conflict-free world being left to the vagaries of political uncertainty. 

"Since its creation, DFID has been led by humanitarian principles and a commitment to effective aid that benefits the world's poor, and has been willing to commit to the type of predictable, long-term funding that can deliver generational change. Now, that commitment risks being subsumed by short-term foreign policy objectives, diminishing the opportunities for meaningful, lasting impact for those who need it most." 

Mercy Corps is a global organisation working in more than 40 countries around the world, last year reaching nearly 29 million people.