Christian Aid and other leading aid organisations in the UK have released a joint statement responding to the re-appointment of Priti Patel as Secretary of State for International Development.
The statement says:
"We welcome the re-appointment of Priti Patel as Secretary of State for International Development to deliver the Government’s manifesto commitment to meet its promises to the world's poorest people.
"At a time when the world is facing the largest refugee crisis since the second world war and four countries stand on the brink of famine, British aid and leadership in tackling poverty and hunger are needed more than ever.
“If the Government is serious about delivering on their manifesto promise to eradicate poverty and save children’s lives, it is vital that they put the needs of the poorest first – negotiating the reform of UK aid on their behalf, and resisting any temptation to act unilaterally.”
The leading UK aid organisations who have signed this statement are: Christian Aid, Save the Children, UNICEF UK, Oxfam GB, ONE, Water Aid, Tearfund, CAFOD, Concern Worldwide, Plan International UK, Restless Development, IRC, RESULTS, VSO, Malaria No More UK, Comic Relief.
Notes to editors:
1. Christian Aid works in some of the world's poorest communities in around 40 countries at any one time. We act where there is great need, regardless of religion, helping people to live a full life, free from poverty. We provide urgent, practical and effective assistance in tackling the root causes of poverty as well as its effects.
2. Christian Aid’s core belief is that the world can and must be changed so that poverty is ended: this is what we stand for. Everything we do is about ending poverty and injustice: swiftly, effectively, sustainably. Our strategy document Partnership for Change explains how we set about this task.
3. Christian Aid is a member of ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 130 churches and church-related organisations that work together in humanitarian assistance, advocacy and development.
4. Follow Christian Aid's newswire on Twitter.
5. For more information about the work of Christian Aid, see here.
