NEW: The UK plans to cut funding by 60% to the United Nations children's agency (@UNICEF) & to its global development programme (@UNDP) in a move that will have "serious consequences" for vulnerable children & cost lives, the organisations warn
#UKAid 1/
bit.ly/3vztiJ8
#UKAid 1/
bit.ly/3vztiJ8
Director of advocacy for @UNICEF_uk - @jo_rea - said she understood @BorisJohnson's government had to make difficult choices on where to spend a reduced overseas aid budget.
"But we were hoping that these cuts would not fall on the shoulders of the world's children." 2/
"But we were hoping that these cuts would not fall on the shoulders of the world's children." 2/
. @UlrikaModeer of the United Nations Development Programme (@UNDP), said the funding cut would be particularly harmful during a pandemic. "It is like cutting the lifeline to people & countries that are in the midst of the worst crisis that they have experienced." 3/
The cuts are latest to emerge as @FCDOGovUK axes £4bn+ from its annual overseas aid budget following a decision by @BorisJohnson to reduce an aid-spending target (despite it being enshrined in law) to 0.5% of national income from 0.7% because of the economic hit from #COVID19. 4/
Many charities & UN agencies are being affected, with criticism mounting on the UK at a time when other world powers are increasing overseas assistance and as @DominicRaab prepares to host the first in-person meeting of @G7 foreign ministers this coming week. 5/
. @UNICEF said UK informed the agency its core funding will shrink to £16m in 2021 from £40m last year. The UK is one of UNICEF's largest donors
For @UNDP, the funding cuts they know about so far equate to a reduction of £33m - falling to £22m this year from £55m previously. 6/
For @UNDP, the funding cuts they know about so far equate to a reduction of £33m - falling to £22m this year from £55m previously. 6/
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