CARE’s response to the DFID white paper

7 July 2009

The focus on helping 50 million people living in fragile states, and promoting more accountable and responsive states is good news according to CARE. But there are concerns that funds may be diverted from schools and health clinics to fund security, and questions remain about how the White Paper will change the way Britain engages in countries like Afghanistan.

Geoffrey Dennis, Chief Executive of CARE International UK said, “Until now UK aid to Afghanistan has centred on security and building the capacity of the central government. We would like to see a more balanced approach, with greater emphasis on accountability and development efforts at the community level. Either path would be possible under the priorities in this White Paper. So the test will be in the implementation."

CARE welcomes the Government’s recognition that special attention is required to combat violence against women in conflict situations, but warned that this must not be pigeonholed as solely a security and justice issue. This issue illustrates a wider tension in the White Paper between DFID's increasing emphasis on security and long-standing efforts to tackle poverty and vulnerability.

“Access to security and justice is important for women exposed to violence in conflict settings. However we must not lose sight of their primary health, psycho-social and livelihoods needs. Such basic services are womens' entry-point for assistance in countries caught up in war. Without them, no amount of security sector reform will help" said Mr.Dennis.

CARE also welcomes DFID’s focus on economic growth, but this must include the poorest in society and not reinforce existing inequalities. CARE agrees that the private sector has a role to play in development, and would like to see DFID be clearer on how they wish to engage with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to ensure that poor communities’ needs are met.

The Government has responded to demands from CARE supporters to tackle global hunger, by promising to push world leaders to deliver on their commitments of $20 billion in new funding for food and agriculture. They will support African leaders in devoting 10 per cent of expenditure on agriculture, as well as putting social protection systems in place to shield millions of people who can’t produce or buy enough food for their families through social protection schemes. This is vital good news for the millions of people continuing to suffer the effects of the global food crisis.

For more information, please contact:

Amber Meikle, 0207 934 9348, meikle@careinternational.org