Press releases

UK Government minister launches new trade initiative to pull millions of Africans out of poverty

02 February 2011

Minister Stephen O’Brien launches Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA), an initiative that will work across East Africa to fund new businesses, develop essential infrastructure and standardise regulation across the region.

UK and Gates Foundation commit to polio eradication

28 January 2011

British Prime Minister David Cameron said today that the United Kingdom would double its current contribution to polio eradication.

Pakistan floods six months on: update on UK aid

26 January 2011

International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell today said that people in the UK can be proud of the difference they are making to the lives of millions of people affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan.

Closure of DFID office in Cambodia

20 January 2011

Representatives from the UK Government today met with Deputy Prime Minister Keat Chhon to mark the closure of its office for the Department for International Development in Cambodia.

Britain to provide emergency aid to Sudan

07 January 2011

The British Government today announced its further support for a rapid response fund in reaction to the fragile humanitarian situation in Sudan.

Mitchell sets out Britain’s plan to tackle malaria and save lives of mothers and babies

31 December 2010

The British Government today unveiled landmark plans to tackle malaria and prevent deaths during pregnancy and childbirth in a move that could save an unprecedented number of lives.

World not prepared for disasters warns Mitchell

29 December 2010

The British Government announces £40 million funding for the United Nations' Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to strengthen the international disaster response system.

Mitchell: Aid agencies to focus on value for money

23 December 2010

Announcement of Programme Partnership Arrangements the UK Government will support

British government bolsters fight against HIV, TB and malaria

21 December 2010

The British government has announced that it will provide urgent support for life-saving HIV, TB and malaria supplies that will save the lives of millions of people in the world’s poorest countries.

Mitchell: helping 200,000 children get back to school in Pakistan

15 December 2010

Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell today confirmed that the UK will help 200,000 children return to education in Pakistan, by repairing 1,500 schools damaged by the recent floods and providing 200 temporary facilities for children whose schools have been destroyed across Sindh and the Punjab.

UK announces emergency humanitarian assistance for Somalia

14 December 2010

The UK announces support to provide food, water, shelter and urgent medical assistance for hundreds of thousands of Somalis affected by drought, flood and conflict.

UK launches election ‘how to’ guide to support democracy

13 December 2010

The Department for International Development and Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers Stephen O’Brien and Jeremy Browne will today set out the government approach to supporting democracy and free and fair elections overseas.

UK Government to increase mine clearance in Cambodia and Laos

09 December 2010

Mines Advisory Group (MAG) awarded contract to remove and destroy mines in Cambodia and Laos

Mitchell: Crops are key in fight against climate change

04 December 2010

Andrew Mitchell announces new agricultural research programme through support given to support to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.

UK government announces help to protect 4.7 million from malaria in Ghana

25 November 2010

The UK government has announced aid to protect nearly 5 million people in Ghana from malaria, including nearly 1 million children under the age of five.

Mitchell: UK to help drive low carbon revolution in poorest countries

18 November 2010

Two new public-private partnership projects to generate renewable energy in developing countries, removing millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and powering up to four million rural homes in Africa, will be announced today

Vital lifeline to remote British territory to be repaired

18 November 2010

A storm-damaged harbour on the remote British Overseas Territory of Tristan Da Cunha is to undergo emergency repairs in an effort to prevent the island from being cut off from its only access to outside supplies and help.

Mitchell: UK emergency aid to forgotten disaster in Burma

15 November 2010

The UK Government will give emergency food, water, sanitation and health care to more than a hundred thousand people in Burma as the full scale of destruction caused by Cyclone Giri has become clear

Lord Paddy Ashdown: Pakistan Floods “this has challenged everyone”

11 November 2010

Lord Ashdown has been in Pakistan this week on a fact-finding mission as part of the UK’s Humanitarian Emergency Response Review (HERR).

Mitchell announces new mine clearance plans

10 November 2010

The UK Government will overhaul its support for mine clearance programmes in order to focus on high impact zones.