International Development Committee

After five decades of the Basher al-Assad regime, Dr Ahmed Ekzayez, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management spoke about the opportunity for Syrians "to build an inclusive and stable Syria."

We are disappointed with the Government's aid spending allocation announcement, which pits development spending against defence spending. As Chair @SarahChampionMP told the Foreign Secretary, development spending is often a first form of defence.

Our session questioning @HFalconerMP, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, as we explore recent humanitarian developments in the Syrian Arab Republic has started. Watch on YouTube: youtube.com/watch?v=SwOUiz…

Tomorrow at 2pm we're questioning @HFalconerMP, Minister for the Middle East and North Africa, as we explore recent humanitarian developments in the Syrian Arab Republic following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/event/26840/fo…

On the subject of the UK's International Climate Finance, @lizwathuti, Founder and Director at @GGI_Kenya told us, "the most effective climate finance is the one that is supposed to reach the communities even before the crisis reaches to them."

We’ve launched a new inquiry into the @FCDOGovUK's approach to higher education and research partnerships. Find out more about the inquiry and what topics we’d like to hear about: committees.parliament.uk/committee/98/i…

Tomorrow at 2pm we're examining the UK's International Climate Finance, exploring the impact of climate change on local communities in Kenya and Bangladesh, and the benefits, barriers and processes involved in accessing UK climate finance. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/event/26685/fo…

On the war in Sudan, @KholoodKhair Director of Confluence Advisory, a think tank focusing on Sudanese peace, security, governance and economy, told us that "no one is really interested in looking at the external forces in this war".

In our follow up session on the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Dave Philips at @SamaritansPurse who recently returned from the Kordofan region, told us there are "21 million people in severe hunger" for which the cause isn't climate crisis or poverty — "these are man-made famines"

Tomorrow at 2pm we're hearing from experts on the recent developments in the ongoing conflict and humanitarian emergency, as the crisis continues to worsen in Sudan. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/event/26646/fo…

We heard from UnaMay Gordon, @gemgord, Senior Associate at @IIED on the cyclical nature of extreme weather events in Jamaica, and the impact that has on the economic development of Small Island Developing States. #Jamaica #HurricaneMelissa #SIDS

.@Mrandrewkbrown told us about the devastating scenes he saw as a result of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica after his visit in January. He gave evidence as part of our session on the UK's humanitarian response to the hurricane and its wider work with Small Island Developing States.

Tomorrow at 2pm we're hearing from Jamaican stakeholders and UK civil society on how the UK can effectively partner with Jamaica to address climate related extreme weather events. We'll be putting their concerns to @FCDOGovUK. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/event/26473/fo…

Some of the evidence we received talked about the on-the-ground impacts that cuts are already having. The lives and welfare of some of the poorest people in the world are at risk while the FCDO’s plans for restructuring proceed.

Plans for restructuring at @FCDOGovUK could make it easier for poverty reduction to be deprioritised and must be paused. Read our interim report on the Future of UK aid and development assistance ⬇️ publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cmse…

Youth Coordinator, @FinianAli at @CS_SUNN spoke on the need for more space and trust in young community activists who lead on initiatives in Nigeria.

Jennifer Hudson, Director at the @DevEngageLab told us that the public's perception of how much money is being spent on overseas aid is "wildly inaccurate". Views on inefficiency, waste and corruption across government also play into how much the public think we should spend.

Our session on the future of UK aid and development assistance at @SciGalleryLon hosted by @KingsIntDev has begun. Watch live below 👇 youtube.com/live/DDFY9r4Ma…

Next week we're holding a session live at @KingsCollegeLon to gather insights on the future of UK's development work, to explore what the public thinks about UK aid. Come along in-person. Read more: committees.parliament.uk/event/26258/fo…

At our session on the future of UK aid and development assistance, Baroness @JennyChapman, Minister for Development at @FCDOGovUK, talked about the need for a fresh strategy to communicate to the public about the UK's development work.