Keeping our aid promise

The equation is simple. Poverty + aid cuts = disaster.

From polio and malaria vaccines, to clean water and support after disasters, UK foreign aid continues to save lives around the world. However, MPs recently voted to slash this budget. By doing so, the government has broken the promise in their election manifesto and put countless lives at risk in the midst of a global pandemic.

The cuts will see most of the UK’s foreign aid work dramatically reduced – with around £4 billion of essential funding lost. This includes aid to Yemen, the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, as well cuts to projects improving access to clean water, even though this is crucial to slowing the spread of coronavirus.

There is no doubt that the cut to this vital aid budget will cost lives.

'For people living in poverty this is a devastating blow,’ says Tearfund CEO Nigel Harris. ‘We must be under no illusion that these now indefinite cuts not only break long-term promises to the world’s poorest people, but will cost thousands of lives – both now and in the future of this Parliament.'

The government may have broken their promise, but we won't break ours. We won't stop until poverty stops. With your help, Tearfund can scale up our work in the world’s poorest countries and empower people to lift themselves out of poverty and restore hope for the future. Through our work with local churches and partner organisations, you can be sure that your money reaches the most vulnerable around the world.

Poverty is not God’s plan, so please help us keep our promise to our global neighbours.