Charities slam aid cuts to selected Third World nations
UK charities raising money for some of the countries which will no longer receive aid from the Government have told Channel 4 News about their deep concerns over the plans.
Sixteen countries – including Angola, Kosovo, and Burundi – will no longer receive millions of pounds worth of annual aid from Britain, International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell has announced.
The other countries whose funding has been ceased are; Bosnia, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Gambia, Indonesia, Iraq, Lesotho, Moldova, Niger, Russia, Serbia and Vietnam.
The coalition wants to focus up to 30 per cent of overseas aid to volatile states such as Afghanistan and Somalia. And the total spent on aid is due to rise from £7 billion to £11 billion by 2015.
Charles Storer, co-founder of Hope and Aid Direct, which delivers aid by hand to impoverished countries including Kosovo, told Channel 4 News that he is considering writing to the Government to condemn the decision to axe its £3.3 aid to the country.
He said: “On the face of it, I am very concerned and worried about this news, as are those from other charities.
“Kosovo still requires charity and aid, and a lot of it: there is dreadful poverty there.”
“Kosovo still requires charity and aid, and a lot of it: there is dreadful poverty there.” Charles Storer, Hope and Aid Direct
Mr Storer added: “However, if it is a case of rehousing wasted aid, I am right behind the move, because I have witnessed some unspeakable wastage of funds.”
A spokesperson from the Bridge UK-Angola, echoed the comments, saying that the loss of Angola’s £3.3m would take a “significant toll”.
Two of the countries whose funding has been slashed are among the 10 poorest in the world.
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