The government’s decision to cut aid spending to 0.3% by 2027 is devastating and comes at a time when global hunger and malnutrition are reaching unprecedented levels.
We are facing a global crisis – 733 million people went hungry in 2023, an alarming 152 million more compared to just four years ago. This will continue to get worse especially in conflict-ridden regions like Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gaza.
The UK’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget has long been a cornerstone of global progress. These cuts are a political choice and a cruel one, especially in the 21st century, when so much progress has already been made in the fight against global hunger and poverty. This is a short-sighted approach, and we urge the government to reconsider its decision at a time when we are seeing global aid decline worldwide and a surge in humanitarian needs.
The UK has made a decision to step back from being the world leader it claims to be.
Jean-Michel Grant, Executive Director at Action Against Hunger UK, said:
“We’re extremely disappointed with the sudden announcement of the government’s aid cuts as global hunger reaches record levels, with 733 million people in 2023 going hungry – 152 million more than four years ago.
“The UK’s ODA budget has been crucial in fighting hunger and poverty, supporting health, education, and food security. If we continue down this path, there will be almost nothing left to support starving children in places like Gaza, Sudan, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and supporting the most vulnerable refugees here in the UK.
“Through this disastrous decision, the UK is losing its credibility of being an effective leader towards a world free from poverty on a liveable planet.”