The Department for International Development (DFID) leads the UK’s global efforts to end extreme poverty, deliver the Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs) and tackle a wide range of global development challenges. The UK’s focus and international leadership on economic development is a vital part of Global Britain - harnessing the potential of new trade relationships, creating jobs and channelling investment to the world’s poorest countries. Throughout history, sustained, job-creating growth has played the greatest role in lifting huge numbers of people out of grinding poverty. This is what developing countries want and is what the international system needs to help deliver. Whilst there is an urgent need for traditional aid in many parts of the world, ultimately economic development is how we will achieve the Global Goals and help countries move beyond the need for aid.
Contribution to the Global Goals and other government commitments (achieved as at March 2018)
In the Sahel region of Africa, the UK has provided 30,000 children with access to better nutrition; and over 800,000 people with food assistance and emergency support (Global Goals 2 and 3).
Headline deliverables
Humanitarian: To date, the UK has supported over 1.5 million people in the Sahel with life saving humanitarian aid; and supported over 1.8 million people to cope with the effect of climate change and other major shocks. By 2019, we expect to support countries in the Sahel to help up to 2.5 million people avoid the worst effects of shocks such as drought and insecurity and support up to 2.3 million people with food assistance.
Women and girls: By 2020, we will help 230,000 girls and women take control of decisions about when they have children and their family size.