Concern Worldwide's statement on UK aid allocations

Communities in countries including Malawi, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan are already facing the devastating impacts of climate change, conflict, hunger and displacement. Reducing support at this moment will push thousands of people further into poverty.

Anushree Rao, Director of Advocacy and Institutional Relationships at Concern Worldwide (UK) said:

“At Concern Worldwide, we see every day how sustained investment in humanitarian assistance and long-term development helps people withstand shocks. Aid saves lives. It strengthens local health systems, improves food security and creates opportunities for communities to thrive. These are not short-term investments; they are essential foundations for lasting stability and resilience.

While we welcome the government's commitment to protecting funding for some humanitarian crises, today's allocations raise serious questions about how support is being prioritised. Significant reductions to countries experiencing chronic poverty, climate vulnerability and protracted crises risk reversing years of progress and leaving millions of people without the support they need.”  

At a time when global humanitarian needs are at record levels, this is the moment to strengthen the UK's commitment to international development.

Concern Worldwide urges the UK government to reconsider the scale of these reductions and to ensure that future aid decisions are guided by need, evidence and the UK's long-standing commitment to tackling extreme poverty.  We are calling on the UK government to prioritise the world's most vulnerable people and protect UK aid so it continues to save lives, reduce poverty and help communities build resilience to future crises.