Britain suspends aid to Malawi

[alp227]

Source: The Guardian

Britain has indefinitely suspended part of its aid programme, worth £19m, for Malawi over the country's repeated failure to address concerns over economic management and governance.

The money is used for general budget support, which helps governments deliver their own national strategies for poverty reduction against an agreed set of targets.

The UK's Department for International Development (DfID) said the decision is in line with international concern over Malawi's current position. The World Bank, the EU, the African Development Bank, Germany and Norway have all suspended or ended general budget support to Malawi.

"The UK provides development assistance in order to help communities lift themselves out of grinding poverty, whether that's through getting children into school, ensuring women survive childbirth or helping farmers grow enough food to feed their families and communities," said Andrew Mitchell, the international development secretary. "But poor people in Malawi and British taxpayers alike have been let down. In these circumstances I cannot justify the provision of general budget support for Malawi."

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2011/jul/14/britain-suspends-aid-to-malawi