SCIAF welcomes doubling of aid budget

SCIAF has given a warm welcome to the Scottish Government’s announcement that it is to double its funding for international aid. Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture Linda Fabiani committed earlier today to a new annual budget of £9m, twice the previous figure of £4.5m.

SCIAF is also supportive of the decision to expand the focus of this programme beyond Malawi. As part of this broadening of priorities, SCIAF recently received a grant of £250,000 from the Scottish Government. This money is already being put to work in emergency relief for Sudan’s Darfur region; a good example of Scottish Government funding making a real difference to some of the poorest and most vulnerable people on earth.

Paul Chitnis, Chief Executive of SCIAF, said:

I am absolutely delighted the Scottish Government has made good its election pledge and confirmed this increase in aid. The new administration was quick to respond to the crisis in Darfur and we obviously hope these much needed funds will be made available sooner rather than later for work in other parts of the world.'

Cardinal O'Brien said:

'From my own experience of visiting developing countries, I am sure people welcome and recognise the contribution made by Scotland and Scottish NGOs like SCIAF to improving their lives. This increase in funding is much to be welcomed.

The sums involved are significant, and their impact will be felt by many people. But it is worth remembering the depressing scale of global poverty. Around 1 billion people face a daily struggle to exist on less than 50 pence per day, and it is incumbent on all of us, politicians and others, to ask what else we can do to tackle this global outrage.'

23rd August 2007