UK Says “We have assessed the appropriateness of UKAid programmes in Ethiopia in light of the developments of the Tigray conflict and are carefully considering our delivery model. We will continue to provide £37.8m of funding to non-governmental partners, to ensure we continue using ODA to alleviate the humanitarian situation and poverty.
James Duddridge MP
Minister for Africa
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
Lord Alton of Liverpool
House of Lords
London
SW1A 0AA
12 February 2021
Dear Lord Alton,
Thank you for your correspondence of 21 December about aid spend in Tigray. I am
replying as the Minister for Africa.
We have supported a number of organisations in Tigray over the past ten years many of
which provide critical services, including health, education, food security and water. One
example that the region is benefiting from is the General Education Quality Improvement
programme, with Tigray receiving financial and technical assistance. Another is the
support to sustain and accelerate primary health care in Tigray and family planning by
choice. Until recently, the majority of UK support to Tigray was provided through
financial aid for the provision of essential services (e.g. health, education and water and
sanitation). This was channelled through the federal government, who then disbursed
funds to the regions. This is the most effective way to provide development and prevents
establishing parallel delivery systems. The federal government stopped transfers to
Tigray when the conflict started. The UK decided to continue with the provision of
financial aid to Ethiopia, but withheld a proportion that would have been allocated to
Tigray. Instead, we continue to provide development assistance through support to nongovernmental
partners.
We have been clear that our priority is supporting Ethiopians in need, we continue to do
this through a number of programmes, and projects that support the country’s poorest.
We have assessed the appropriateness of UKAid programmes in Ethiopia in light of the
developments of the Tigray conflict and are carefully considering our delivery model. We
will continue to provide £37.8m of funding to non-governmental partners, to ensure we
continue using ODA to alleviate the humanitarian situation and poverty.
James Duddridge MP
Minister for Africa
