UK can now use foreign aid budget to help richer overseas territories hit by natural disasters
Government hails 'major victory' after convincing other developed countries to change rules on where aid can be sent
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Wealthy UK overseas territories will be allowed to receive foreign aid after the government secured a “significant” change to international rules.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will now include richer countries that have been affected by natural disasters on a list of nations deserving of aid.
It comes after the UK government urged other developed nations to change the rules, pointing out that Caribbean countries damaged by hurricanes last year had not received official assistance because they were deemed too wealthy.
The British overseas territories of Anguilla, Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands were significantly affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria, but concerns were raised about current aid rules after the UK was not allowed to use its aid budget help the islands recover from the physical and economic damage caused.
Under the new rules, countries that suffer a natural disaster will be added to the list of nations eligible for official development assistance (ODA).
After successfully lobbying for change, Penny Mordaunt, the international development secretary hailed “a major victory” for the UK.
She said: “The British public are strong supporters of providing help in the wake of disasters, including long-term reconstruction.
“They want to help people, especially when they are from nations we have close ties to.
She added: “Not being able to pay for that help from the aid budget, because a nation’s economy was doing well, before a hurricane, earthquake or other disaster hit, was illogical and had to change.
“Britain has never fallen short in our support of countries in need – either through sending aid, our Armed Forces or reconstruction support. This significant rule change means that in future we may be able to use our aid budget to pay for that longer term, reconstruction support.”
Under existing rules, the OECD says countries whose gross national income is higher than the $12,055 (£9,400) per capita threshold set by the World Bank are ineligible for aid.
As countries get wealthier and cross the threshold, they are removed from the list, leaving them dependent on other types of funding if they are hit by a natural disaster.
Anguilla and St Kitts and Nevis were both taken off the OECD’s list of eligible countries 2014, while the British Virgin Islands was removed in 2000 and the Turks and Caicos in 2008.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments