Scotland: Renewed commitment to international development

Scottish Budget continues support.

Support for vital aid projects is outlined in a new report which emphasises the Scottish Government’s ongoing commitment to international development.

The report reviews projects supported between April 2019 and December 2020, and details the impact of COVID-19.

The Scottish Government’s ongoing

commitment to internationalism and global citizenship has also been underlined in the recent Scottish Budget which includes a £10 million fund for international development and a £1 million Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF).

The report details how, with Scottish Government support, a range of organisations have delivered vital work in the areas of health, education, water and climate, sustainable economic development, civic governance, and renewable energy.

These include a project to increase access to sustainable water, hygiene and sanitation in rural areas in Malawi, a project to provide access to ear health in Zambia and work to help strengthen and diversify rural businesses and coffee communities in Rwanda, and education scholarships in Pakistan.

Scotland’s continued contribution to humanitarian efforts internationally through the HEF, with immediate and effective assistance to populations affected by disasters, disease and conflict, is also outlined.

International Development Minister Jenny Gilruth said:

“No assessment of the last year of the Scottish Government’s contribution to international development can be written without acknowledging and focusing on the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“An unprecedented global crisis, leaving no country or people unaffected, has strengthened our determination to stand together to support and protect the most vulnerable, and to strengthen, not renege, on our international commitments.

“COVID-19, the climate emergency and the Black Lives Matter movement are all wake-up calls to governments for change. Our refocused International Development programme will be shaped by a new set of principles which reflect this new global reality.

“The Scottish Government remains absolutely committed to our international development partner countries and to working together towards a more just and equitable future.”

Background

Read the Contribution to International Development report 2019-2020.

Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda are the Scottish Government’s three African partner countries.

Read more about the Scottish Government budget.

The Programme for Government, which includes a commitment to supporting COVID-19 response in partner countries, can be read online.