The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev. Dr. Sahr Yambasu, and the Convener of Irish Methodist World Development & Relief, Rev. Paul Maxwell, jointly condemn the action of the government of the United Kingdom in cutting its overseas aid budget from 0.7% to 0.5%.

This will amount to £4 billion lost in helping many of the world’s most vulnerable people.

Charities, aid experts and MPs say that this could result in a million girls losing out on schooling, nearly three million women and children going without life-saving nutrition and 5.6 million children left unvaccinated, causing up to 100,000 deaths. This will be in just the first year of this aid reduction.

This action is short-sighted, makes little budgetary sense and suggests a total lack of concern on the part of the privileged ‘haves’ in government. It is deplorable and is the breaking of a promise to stand alongside those who need us. Such a decision is the complete antithesis of the values taught within the Christian gospel; namely solidarity, compassion and justice. Less importantly, but significantly, the reputation of the United Kingdom has suffered hugely as a result.

Issued by :

Rev. Roy Cooper (07710945104)

Press Officer, the Methodist Church in Ireland.

Learn more about Irish Methodist World Development & Relief