Bond statement in response to DFID announcement on COVID-19 programmes funded by UK aid

Stephanie Draper, CEO at Bond, UK network for organisations working in international development said:

“COVID-19 looks set to trigger a global humanitarian emergency and these projects will undoubtedly help communities by getting health care, clean water and sanitation and food to many people. We also know that many other NGOs stand ready to help millions of vulnerable people with worked up plans from this RRF. We hope DFID will urgently increase the amount allocated to the Rapid Response Facility to £100m, and encourage them to continue to utilise other funding mechanisms so we can harness the critical expertise and access smaller, grassroots NGO have.

Expertise, speed and access to vulnerable communities are critical if we are to curb the number of lives lost to COVID-19.”

ENDS

Notes to editor

Read DFID’s press release here: UK aid boost for charities fighting coronavirus
Bond has been calling on the UK government to also set up a stabilisation fund to help the domestic sector, £320m of this fund should be made available to charities working internationally: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/apr/27/pandemic-jeopardises-support-for-worlds-poor-as-charities-lose-millions-covid-19
Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations from across the UK, and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice.
For further information please contact Maryam Mohsin on 07555 336029 or [email protected]