http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/ http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/world-toilet-day-08.asp Wed, 19 Nov 2008 Today is World Toilet Day, a day on which the world is reminded that more than 2.5 billion people - over 40% of the world’s population - still have no access to basic sanitation. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/africa-stats-day-08.asp Tue, 18 Nov 2008 African Statistics Day is celebrated annually on 18th November. This year, the focus of the day is on the role of statistics in addressing the challenges of rising food prices and agricultural development. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/world-toilet-day.asp Tue, 18 Nov 2008 International Development Minister for water and sanitation, Mike Foster, speaks out as the world prepares to mark World Toilet Day http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/dolphin-pen.asp Tue, 18 Nov 2008 Visually impaired students in Kenya were given a boost yesterday when British High Commissioner Rob Macaire donated DFID computers to Nairobi's Kenyatta University. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/bretton-woods2.asp Fri, 14 Nov 2008 On Saturday 15 November representatives of the world''s largest economies will gather in Washington D.C. to consider a global response to the most pressing global financial issues. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/remembrance.asp Sun, 09 Nov 2008 DFID Secretary of State Douglas Alexander laid a wreath at a remembrance service at the military headquarters in Basra during his recent visit for soldiers who had died in the current campaign in Southern Iraq. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/congo-aid-flights.asp Sun, 09 Nov 2008 Two planes carrying urgent humanitarian relief items from the UK have arrived in Goma, Eastern Congo, with additional flights expected to land in the coming days. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/congo-food-aid.asp Fri, 07 Nov 2008 The UK will provide £2 million food aid for those affected by the crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander, announced today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/basra-investment-commission.asp Thu, 06 Nov 2008 Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander today attended the formal launch of the new Basra Investment Commission (BIC). http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/hiv-prevention.asp Tue, 04 Nov 2008 The HIV epidemic is set to spiral out of control unless new ways to prevent infection are discovered, Development Minister Gareth Thomas warned today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/minouche-bond-speech.asp Tue, 04 Nov 2008 Speech by DFID Permanent Secretary Minouche Shafik at the BOND Annual General Meeting, RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects), London. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/cdc-wms.asp Mon, 03 Nov 2008 Businesses in some of the world's poorest countries are set to receive a boost from new investment targets unveiled today by International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/aid-flight-to-congo.asp Mon, 03 Nov 2008 The UK is set to fly emergency humanitarian aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to help people affected by the recent fighting, International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander, announced today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/drc.asp Fri, 31 Oct 2008 International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander today announced that the UK would provide an additional £5 million in aid to help meet the needs of people affected by the humanitarian crisis in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/water-sanitation-policy-08.asp Tue, 28 Oct 2008 Twenty-five million people across Africa could gain access to safe water and basic sanitation over the next five years as a result of a new DFID policy launched today by International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/great-stink.asp Tue, 28 Oct 2008 More than 1 billion people in developing countries still have no toilets and 900 million people no clean water, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said today on the 150th anniversary of the Great Stink in London. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/sos-water-policy.asp Tue, 28 Oct 2008 Speech by Secretary of State Douglas Alexander at Coin Street Development Centre, London, 28 October 2008 http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/sanitation-in-africa.asp Mon, 27 Oct 2008 In this, the International Year of Sanitation, a group that is co-chaired by DFID is helping to improve water and sanitation throughout Africa by strengthening the links between African countries and the European Union. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/30years-development-success.asp Mon, 27 Oct 2008 30 years of development success - what lessons for the next 30 years? http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/un-day-2008.asp Fri, 24 Oct 2008 Today is UN Day, when the United Nations celebrates the day its Charter was ratified in 1945. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/lewis-meets-film-makers.asp Fri, 24 Oct 2008 Award-winning film-makers yesterday had the opportunity to showcase their work to DFID Minister Ivan Lewis. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/india-diwali-ssa.asp Fri, 24 Oct 2008 On Tuesday 28 October, Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is observed across India. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/ethical-pest.asp Thu, 23 Oct 2008 Ask more questions about where your goods are from, Trade and Development Minister Gareth Thomas said today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/douglas-alexander-brighton.asp Thu, 23 Oct 2008 The Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, was in Brighton and Hove today to meet local people who are playing their part in the fight against world poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/uea-film-makers.asp Thu, 23 Oct 2008 Award-winning film-makers will be showcasing their work to Ivan Lewis, Minister for International Development, today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/great-yarmouth-fair-trade.asp Thu, 23 Oct 2008 Oxfam volunteers will launch a campaign today to make Great Yarmouth a Fairtrade Town, with the support of Ivan Lewis, Minister for International Development. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/sos-ethiopia.asp Thu, 23 Oct 2008 On a recent visit to Ethiopia, Douglas Alexander saw at first hand how people are coping with the reality of serious food shortages. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/uk-helps-georgia.asp Wed, 22 Oct 2008 Mike Foster, Minister for International Development, today committed a further £2 million to help the thousands of people displaced following the conflict in Georgia earlier this year. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/pakistan-polio-fight.asp Tue, 21 Oct 2008 Every child in Pakistan should be protected from polio, said Mike Foster today as he announced a £7.5 million funding boost to help eliminate the disease in Pakistan. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/malaria-summit.asp Fri, 17 Oct 2008 See some of the highlights of the 2008 Millennium Development Goals Malaria Summit - including speeches from U2's Bono, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Bill Gates and Comic Relief's Richard Curtis. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/stand-up-take-action.asp Fri, 17 Oct 2008 This weekend will see millions of people from around the world Stand Up and Take Action against a global problem. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/afford-football.asp Fri, 17 Oct 2008 DFID Minister Mike Foster last night met Premiership footballers at an event celebrating the contribution football makes to the fight against poverty in Africa. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/world-food-day-statement.asp Thu, 16 Oct 2008 Statement from International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander in response to the Oxfam report on the world food crisis. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/mike-foster-broadcast.asp Thu, 16 Oct 2008 Speech by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Mike Foster to the International Broadcasting Trust, House of Lords, London, 16 October 2008. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/world-food-day-08.asp Wed, 15 Oct 2008 Thursday 16 October is World Food Day 2008 - an opportunity for the world to focus its attention on the serious hunger that still exists today in developing countries. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/blog-action-day.asp Wed, 15 Oct 2008 Staff from DFID''s country offices are joining bloggers around the world this Wednesday as part of Blog Action Day. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/gareth-thomas-caribbean.asp Wed, 15 Oct 2008 Speech by DFID Minister Gareth Thomas at the EPA signing ceremony, Bridgetown, Barbados, 15 October 2008. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/afghan-opium.asp Tue, 14 Oct 2008 The first Governor-led initiative to tackle opium poppy in Afghanistan took a big step forward this week with the launch of a £6 million programme to support wheat farming in Helmand. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/sri-lanka-humanitarian.asp Tue, 14 Oct 2008 DFID Minister Mike Foster today announced a package of emergency humanitarian support for the civilian population in Sri Lanka affected by the ongoing conflict between the Government and the Tamil Tigers (LTTE). http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/african-humanitarian-report-0708.asp Tue, 14 Oct 2008 Publication of annual report on humanitarian spending in Africa. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/caribbean-regional-strategy.asp Tue, 14 Oct 2008 Growth at centre of UK Regional Development Strategy (2008-2013) for the Caribbean. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/sos-caribbean-speech.asp Tue, 14 Oct 2008 Speech by Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander at the launch of the UK's Regional Development Strategy for the Caribbean (2008-13). http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/world-bank-08.asp Mon, 13 Oct 2008 The effects of the current financial crisis on the world's poorest people came under discussion this weekend during a major meeting of the World Bank. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/rwanda-women-unite-20081013.asp Mon, 13 Oct 2008 Rwanda's history-making women MPs united today to launch a campaign to reduce the number of mothers who die in childbirth. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/caribbean-trade.asp Mon, 13 Oct 2008 UK Minister for Trade and Development Gareth Thomas told communities in the Caribbean today that the next year will be a make or break period for the region in finding a route out of poverty through economic growth. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/worldbank_dc_oct08.asp Sun, 12 Oct 2008 Governments, the IMF and the World Bank, need to act together to help developing countries cope with the twin shocks of a global financial crisis and high commodity prices, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/retreatment-kenya-nets.asp Sat, 11 Oct 2008 Millions of families across Kenya will be better protected against malaria this weekend as a result of a UK Government-funded campaign to upgrade every bed-net in the country. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pakistan-kashmir-earthquake.asp Wed, 08 Oct 2008 On 8 October 2005 an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck 100 kilometres north of Pakistan''s capital, Islamabad. The world saw TV images of hospitals flattened, homes razed to their foundations, families cleaved apart, and roads, bridges, power and hope lost. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/un-humanitarian.asp Tue, 07 Oct 2008 International Development Minister Gareth Thomas today said that the world needed to get smarter at dealing with the increasing number of floods, hurricanes, droughts and other humanitarian crises. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/gareth-humanitarian-reform.asp Tue, 07 Oct 2008 On Tuesday 7 October, Gareth Thomas spoke in Geneva to humanitarian aid experts from the UN, including UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/acpp.asp Mon, 06 Oct 2008 Annual report of Africa Conflict Prevention Programme published http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ministerial-changes-oct08.asp Sun, 05 Oct 2008 Details of changes made to DFID's ministerial team http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/unrwa-summer-games.asp Fri, 03 Oct 2008 This summer, one of DFID's key partners in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) held its second Summer Games in Gaza. A quarter of a million children in 324 locations took part in the UNRWA festivities. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/sid-2008.asp Thu, 02 Oct 2008 Publication of Statistics on International Development (SID) 2008. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/aecf-grants.asp Thu, 02 Oct 2008 AECF issues $6.5 million to region''s firms. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/afghan-helmand-economy.asp Wed, 01 Oct 2008 Afghanistan''s Helmand province is starting to show the first signs of economic growth, thanks to international support for initiatives aimed at the region''s farmers and businessmen. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/health-is-global.asp Tue, 30 Sep 2008 A new strategy which sets out the way that the UK Government will work to improve the health of the world''s population was launched today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/gillian-global-health.asp Tue, 30 Sep 2008 Speech by DFID Minister Gillian Merron at launch of UK Government's Global Health Strategy, Portcullis House, London. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ramadan-eid.asp Tue, 30 Sep 2008 On 1 October the festival of Eid will be celebrated in many countries as Ramadan comes to an end. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/sos-un-diary.asp Fri, 26 Sep 2008 New York is currently playing host to a week of action at the United Nations aimed at increasing the pace in the fight against world poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/school-partnership-video-link.asp Fri, 26 Sep 2008 Two groups of young students met ''virtually'' this week via a live video link. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/un-high-level.asp Fri, 26 Sep 2008 $16 billion of new commitments as broadest ever alliance assembles to fight for common goal http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/sri-lanka-statement.asp Fri, 26 Sep 2008 Joint statement from DFID Minister Shahid Malik and Lord Malloch Brown in response to the emerging situation in Sri Lanka. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ramadan-sudan.asp Fri, 26 Sep 2008 Sarra Deya Ismail works for DFID in Sudan. In this film, Sarra explains what Ramadan means to her and how her faith informs her work helping Sudan's poorest people. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/climate-change-mdg.asp Thu, 25 Sep 2008 Climate change now seriously threatens efforts to tackle poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals, delegates were told at the UN headquarters in New York yesterday (24 September). http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/zimbabwe-update-sept25.asp Thu, 25 Sep 2008 On 15 September Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and the opposition leaders, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara, signed a power-sharing deal, aimed at resolving the country''s political and economic crisis. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/water-mdg-un.asp Thu, 25 Sep 2008 Millions of people in Africa and Asia will be provided with clean drinking water and decent sanitation thanks to a new joint initiative from the UK and the Netherlands. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/malaria-mdg-un.asp Thu, 25 Sep 2008 DFID commits funding towards affordable medicines, lifesaving bed-nets and research as part of major international effort to eradicate malaria. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/class-2015-un.asp Thu, 25 Sep 2008 World leaders, FIFA, corporations, faith leaders and education advocates launch Class of 2015 to educate 15 million children over the next three years. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/business-cta-un.asp Thu, 25 Sep 2008 International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander and Kemal Dervis, Head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), yesterday (24 September) launched the Global Business Call to Action Partnership at a lunch hosted by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/maternal-un.asp Thu, 25 Sep 2008 Aid commitments made today in New York will save the lives of 10 million mothers and newborn babies in the developing world over the next seven years. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/guardian-all-out.asp Wed, 24 Sep 2008 At the start of the new millennium, world leaders gathered at the UN to make a promise: that we would do everything within our power to halve extreme poverty by 2015. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/speeches/sos-un-private-sector.asp Wed, 24 Sep 2008 Speech by Douglas Alexander at Business Call to Action event, United Nations, New York http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/africa-mdg.asp Tue, 23 Sep 2008 World leaders came together yesterday (22 September) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to renew their commitments to Africa''s development. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/business-mdg.asp Tue, 23 Sep 2008 Ten private companies were recognized today for their work in improving the lives of the world’s most disadvantaged people. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ramadan-bangladesh.asp Tue, 23 Sep 2008 Aminur Rahman works for DFID in Bangladesh. In this film, Aminur talks about a typical day during Ramadan. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files//pressreleases/tropical-diseases.asp Mon, 22 Sep 2008 Guinea worm could be wiped out in developing countries within the next five years, thanks to a new £10 million funding boost to tackle tropical diseases, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander announced today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/guinea-worm.asp Mon, 22 Sep 2008 Previously neglected tropical diseases are to be targeted following a new £50 million commitment from DFID. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/africa-food-crisis.asp Mon, 22 Sep 2008 In response to the growing humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, DFID today announced a £42 million package to help the 17 million people facing hunger in the region. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/bangladesh-food.asp Mon, 22 Sep 2008 Over a million of the poorest people in Bangladesh are set to benefit from a £70 million UK-funded programme that will put food on their plates, money in their pockets to buy rice and protect them from rising river levels. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ramadan-pakistan.asp Thu, 18 Sep 2008 Pakistani Muslims Tariq Nasir and Agha Ali Jawad work for the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), which is one of a range of rural anti-poverty initiatives to benefit from DFID help. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/maternal-health.asp Wed, 17 Sep 2008 Next week, world leaders will descend on New York for the UN's High-level Event on the Millennium Development Goals, where they will set out their plans for increasing the global pace in the fight against poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/motherhood-blanket.asp Wed, 17 Sep 2008 In the world’s poorest countries, a woman dies from childbirth or pregnancy complications every minute. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/afghan-food-aid.asp Wed, 17 Sep 2008 The Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, has announced an extra £5 million of food aid to the Government of Afghanistan. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/sos-afghan-statebuilding.asp Wed, 17 Sep 2008 Speech by International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander at The International Institute for Strategic Studies. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/caribbean-hurricane.asp Tue, 16 Sep 2008 The British Government will provide up to £7 million to help people devastated by the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander announced today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/conflict-children.asp Fri, 12 Sep 2008 First News - the award-winning weekly children’s newspaper - launches their schools campaign today, Conflict Children, which we are supporting with Save the Children. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/firstnews-conflict.asp Fri, 12 Sep 2008 The children’s newspaper First News, with Save the Children and DFID, launch the "Conflict Children" campaign to raise awareness of the effects of war on children and put an end to the use of child soldiers. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/zimbabwe-statement-sept08.asp Fri, 12 Sep 2008 Statement on the situation in Zimbabwe http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ramadan-nigeria.asp Thu, 11 Sep 2008 Jummai Bappah works across all DFID's programmes in Nigeria, helping to keep up the pressure to fight poverty and increase the focus on issues of gender equality and social exclusion. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/bangladesh-climate.asp Wed, 10 Sep 2008 The lives of millions of people in Bangladesh will be devastated if urgent action is not taken to tackle climate change and cut emissions, the UK's International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/sos-climate-bangladesh.asp Wed, 10 Sep 2008 On Wednesday 10 September, a high-level conference was held in London to address the impacts of climate change on people in Bangladesh. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/bangladesh-climate.asp Wed, 10 Sep 2008 On Wednesday 10 September a high-level conference was held in London to address the impacts of climate change on people in Bangladesh. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/kosovo-development.asp Tue, 09 Sep 2008 Shahid Malik, UK Minister for International Development, visits Kosovo today to give the UK's backing for the world's newest country. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/sos-ghana.asp Mon, 08 Sep 2008 International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander visited Northern Ghana last week and announced additional funding to tackle maternal mortality and increase children’s access to education. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/accra-08.asp Mon, 08 Sep 2008 After four days of intense negotiations, the Accra High Level Forum last week (2-4 September) agreed a groundbreaking agreement to improve the quality of global aid and ensure that every pound or dollar of global aid delivers the maximum benefit for poor people. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/zimbabwe-update-sept08.asp Fri, 05 Sep 2008 Zimbabwe is in a deepening crisis that is rooted in gross economic mismanagement, spiralling hyperinflation, and poor governance. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/iraq-basra-jobs.asp Fri, 05 Sep 2008 Basra is back in business and to prove it the co-chair of the city's Development Commission Michael Wareing recently held his first meeting with Iraqi business leaders at their new offices downtown. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/aid-transparency-intiative.asp Thu, 04 Sep 2008 A global initiative to make overseas aid work better in helping poor people and to make it easier for them and their governments to track how aid is spent is being unveiled today by International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/ghana-long-term.asp Wed, 03 Sep 2008 During a visit to Northern Ghana, Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, announced projects to help women survive child birth and to increase children’s access to education. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/aid-effectiveness.asp Tue, 02 Sep 2008 DFID Minister Shahid Malik launched the UK Progress Report on Aid Effectiveness on Monday 1 September at DFID’s London headquarters, on the eve of the Third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, in Accra, Ghana. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ramadan.asp Tue, 02 Sep 2008 To mark Ramadan, throughout September DFID employees and other development workers from around the world will be describing their own experiences of the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. First up is Lanny Jauhari from DFID Indonesia. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/basra-youths.asp Fri, 29 Aug 2008 A new scheme to get young men off the streets of war torn Basra and back into work has been launched in Iraq. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/india-floods.asp Fri, 29 Aug 2008 DFID has asked UNICEF to redirect £150,000 of an existing Trust Fund for immediate assistance to those who have been made homeless by the severe floods in the Bihar region, India. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/degrees-separation.asp Fri, 29 Aug 2008 A new booklet from DFID shows just how close the links are between climate change and poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/race-poverty.asp Wed, 27 Aug 2008 New online game gives children the chance to join the Race Against Global Poverty http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/platform2-greenbelt.asp Wed, 27 Aug 2008 Five of the first volunteers returning from a new global volunteering scheme, Platform2, kicked off their awareness-raising tour on Sunday 24 August at the Greenbelt Festival. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/halo-trust.asp Tue, 26 Aug 2008 Over 300 villages in western Afghanistan will be cleared of mines as a result of new funding announced today by International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/afghan-farmers.asp Mon, 25 Aug 2008 The Governor of Afghanistan’s Helmand province, where British soldiers are fighting the Taliban, has launched a bold new plan to stop farmers growing deadly poppy crops and cut down on food shortages. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/remember-slavery-08.asp Fri, 22 Aug 2008 Saturday 23 August is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/greenbelt08.asp Thu, 21 Aug 2008 Visit the 2008 Greenbelt Festival this weekend (22-25 August) to experience a packed programme of live entertainment and learn more about fighting world poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/water-week-08.asp Fri, 15 Aug 2008 World Water Week 2008 kicks off in Stockholm on Sunday 17 August. The event, which lasts until 23 August, will see DFID join other international players to discuss global water and sanitation issues. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/georgia-2million-humanitarianaid.asp Fri, 15 Aug 2008 The UK Government is prepared to commit up to £2 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) appeal for Georgia, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander announced today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/bangladesh-elections.asp Tue, 12 Aug 2008 Historic elections took place in Bangladesh earlier this month - and DFID played a major part in seeing that, on voting day, everything went according to plan. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/shahid-speech-burma.asp Mon, 11 Aug 2008 To mark the 20th anniversary of the Burmese student uprising of 1988, DFID Minister Shahid Malik spoke today at a reception at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for supporters of democracy in Burma. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/dragons-den-ahead-work.asp Thu, 07 Aug 2008 On 14 August thousands of A’ level students across the UK will be eagerly awaiting their results and facing the prospect of looking for their first job in an increasingly difficult world economic climate. One way to stand out from the crowd and get the competitive edge on your CV is by gaining valuable work experience by volunteering. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/world-ahead.asp Fri, 01 Aug 2008 One way to stand out from the crowd and get the competitive edge on your CV is by gaining valuable work experience by volunteering. Platform2 is a free global volunteering scheme funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) and run by Christian Aid, BUNAC and Islamic Relief. Open to 18-25 year olds who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to volunteer abroad, it offers the chance to spend 10 weeks living and working in a poor community in countries like Ghana, South Africa, Peru or India. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/basra-ro-unit.asp Thu, 31 Jul 2008 Fionna Gibb on new reverse osmosis project in Southern Iraq http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/doha-collapse-geneva.asp Thu, 31 Jul 2008 Progress towards a global trade deal ground to a halt earlier this week at international negotiations in Geneva. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/water-unicef-who.asp Thu, 31 Jul 2008 Too many of the world's poorest people are being exposed to dangerous sanitary conditions, a major new report has confirmed. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/shahid-monsoon-bangladesh.asp Thu, 31 Jul 2008 The narrow path through the corrugated metal shacks was muddy and treacherous from the recent monsoon downpours, but this was only a minor inconvenience for residents of Dhaka's Tekpara slum. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/alexander-statement-trade.asp Tue, 29 Jul 2008 The Secretary of State for International Development's statement on failure of trade talks in Geneva http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/lambeth-walk.asp Fri, 25 Jul 2008 Church of England leaders from around the world are today taking part in walk through London to highlight the need for greater progress against poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pm-palestine-30m.asp Fri, 25 Jul 2008 Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) from 19-21 July, bringing with him to the OPTs a high-level business delegation that sent a strong message that ‘Palestine is open for business’. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/gordon-conway.asp Thu, 24 Jul 2008 Professor Sir Gordon Conway KCMG FRS - DFID's Chief Scientific Advisor - has been made an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Academy of Engineering. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/guardian-journalism-finalists.asp Wed, 23 Jul 2008 The Guardian International Development Journalism Competition has now reached its final stages with the announcement of a 16-strong shortlist. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pm-kenya.asp Wed, 23 Jul 2008 The UK will continue to stand by Kenya as it rebuilds itself following the recent unrest, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today in Downing Street. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/gillian-merron-nigeria.asp Mon, 21 Jul 2008 Gillian Merron visits rural Nigeria http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/gender-torch.asp Fri, 18 Jul 2008 The UK Government is now quite literally carrying the torch for gender equality and women’s empowerment. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/diaspora-volunteers.asp Thu, 17 Jul 2008 Members of the UK's diaspora communities will have the chance to travel to developing countries and make a difference to the lives of poor people through a new initiative to be launched in London later this week. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/sos-afghan-photostory.asp Thu, 17 Jul 2008 During his recent visit to Afghanistan (29 July - 1 July), UK Development Secretary Douglas Alexander saw evidence of the ongoing work to build a more prosperous and secure future for the country's people. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/brazilian-satellite.asp Wed, 16 Jul 2008 A new state-of-the-art Brazilian satellite will carry a British-made high resolution camera to help monitor deforestation around the world, the Brazilian and UK Governments announced today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/malaria-nigeria.asp Wed, 16 Jul 2008 Up to a million lives in Nigeria could be saved as a result of a new £50 million project to tackle malaria announced today by International Development Minister, Gillian Merron. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/kosovo-donors.asp Fri, 11 Jul 2008 Today, international donors met in Brussels to get behind the Government of Kosovo's plans for building prosperity and stability in the world's newest country. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/g8-japan.asp Wed, 09 Jul 2008 The annual G8 summit, this year hosted by the Japanese, took place in Toyako, Hokkaido on 7-9 July. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/Namibia-illegal-fishing.asp Wed, 09 Jul 2008 Britain’s Trade and Development Minister, Gareth Thomas, will visit Windhoek today to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to helping Namibia and other African countries tackle illegal fishing and support legitimate trade. This will help secure fisheries as a vital contributor to African jobs, food supplies and economic success. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/burma-additional-aid.asp Wed, 09 Jul 2008 Over two months since Cyclone Nargis caused devastation across southern Burma, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander has announced that a further £17.5 million will be made available in response to the disaster. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/aid-ethiopia-20m.asp Tue, 08 Jul 2008 The Department for International Development (DFID) today committed £20 million to the humanitarian crisis in drought-stricken Ethiopia, doubling the £10 million already pledged by the International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander, in June. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/SAfrica-fruit-wine.asp Mon, 07 Jul 2008 Launching groundbreaking research into the carbon footprint of South African fruit and wine exports, Gareth Thomas said the scheme would enable the food industry and its consumers to understand more about the effect of goods we buy on climate change. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/frich.asp Fri, 04 Jul 2008 More African goods – from chocolate to pineapples to spices in ready meals – could appear on UK supermarket shelves in the future, said DFID Minister Gareth Thomas today as he opened bids for a new £2 million scheme to help producers trade their way out of poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/shahid-malik-indonesia.asp Thu, 03 Jul 2008 DFID Minister Shahid Malik made history last week when he became the first British Muslim Minister to visit Indonesia. Dropping in to Jakarta on 23 and 24 June, he found out about the role played by Islam in development in the South East Asian country. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/pakistan-cap.asp Thu, 03 Jul 2008 The fight against poverty in Pakistan is to be stepped up with a doubling of UK assistance to £480 million by 2011, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander announced today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/9million-foodaid-zimbabwe.asp Thu, 03 Jul 2008 Millions of people facing severe food shortages in Zimbabwe will be helped by £9 million in humanitarian support announced today by International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/secretary-visits-pakistan.asp Wed, 02 Jul 2008 "The reconstruction work of the British Government in areas affected by the Pakistan earthquake will go on," Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development said today on a visit to the affected region today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/UK-gov-women-childbirth.asp Tue, 01 Jul 2008 A new report from the Department for International Development (DFID) shows that UK government investments in improving maternal health in the world’s poorest countries have paid off. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/bangladesh-taxes.asp Tue, 01 Jul 2008 The UK has approved £7 million (approximately Taka 100 crore) to the Government of Bangladesh for a programme called Tax Administration Capacity and Taxpayer Services (TACTS). http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/Blackpool-children-online-game.asp Mon, 30 Jun 2008 Blackpool children will test their international knowledge with a new online game launched by International Development Minister Gillian Merron today at Beacon Hill High School in Blackpool. Race Against Global Poverty is a fun and interactive educational quiz game from the Department for International Development (DFID) to help young people aged 11 to 16 develop a greater understanding of world poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/30m-support-afghan-business.asp Sun, 29 Jun 2008 Development Secretary Douglas Alexander was today (Sun June 29th) visiting Afghanistan, to see for himself development projects backed by Britain to support Afghanistan’s future prosperity. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/30m-support-afghan-business.asp Sun, 29 Jun 2008 Speech by Development Secretary Douglas Alexander in Kabul at the launch of the Afghanistan Investment Climate Facility. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/invest-educ-africa.asp Fri, 27 Jun 2008 Over 1.2 million children in two of Africa’s poorest countries will get a better education as a result of an innovative agreement, signed today between the Department for International Development (DFID), the Governments of Rwanda and Malawi and Band Aid/The Hunter Foundation, and managed by the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative (CHDI). http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/malawi-gillian-merron.asp Fri, 27 Jun 2008 DFID Minister finds out about efforts to fight HIV/AIDS and improve maternal health http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/eu-isp.asp Tue, 24 Jun 2008 Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, last night hosted the launch of a new Institutional Strategy Paper (ISP) laying out how the UK will coordinate its development agenda with the EU over the next three years. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/security-reform.asp Mon, 23 Jun 2008 Improving security is a vital part of the UK Government''s work in developing countries. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/zimbabwe-crisis.asp Mon, 23 Jun 2008 The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) today issued a statement on Zimbabwe. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/china-earthquake-photostory.asp Fri, 20 Jun 2008 On 12 May, Sichuan province in the south west of China was hit by the worst earthquake that the country has seen in decades. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/gareth-agrofair.asp Thu, 19 Jun 2008 On Thursday 19 June, Minister for Trade and Development Gareth Thomas spoke to industry leaders and retailers at an Agrofair event about the crucial role the private sector can play in encouraging trade with developing countries http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ashden-awards.asp Wed, 18 Jun 2008 New directions in achieving sustainable energy will be honoured this week at a London awards ceremony. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/democracy-bangladesh.asp Wed, 18 Jun 2008 Minister for International Development, Shahid Malik, today met with senior government officials in Bangladesh to discuss progress towards re-establishing a democratic government. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/congo-basin.asp Tue, 17 Jun 2008 A new satellite monitoring system to help the inhabitants of the Congo rainforest protect their environment was among the initiatives announced today by Gordon Brown and Douglas Alexander as they launched the Congo Basin Forest Fund. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/urunana.asp Mon, 16 Jun 2008 A radio soap opera from Rwanda has been recognised at a major UK media awards ceremony. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/sos-sa.asp Fri, 13 Jun 2008 Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, visited South Africa on 5 June to speak at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/uk-children-tv.asp Thu, 12 Jun 2008 Children’s television in the UK is overwhelmingly dominated by North American programmes and mainstream coverage of the wider world is declining, according to a major new report published today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/India-primary-school.asp Wed, 11 Jun 2008 A flagship education programme that aims to enroll all children in India into primary school by 2010 has been given £150 million UK government backing. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/alexander-statement-zimbabwe.asp Fri, 06 Jun 2008 Statement from Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development on suspension of aid agency work in Zimbabwe http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Int-volunteer-week.asp Thu, 05 Jun 2008 This week is international volunteering week - read the blogs of DFID''s first young volunteers going on the Platform2 adventure. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/alexander-safrica.asp Thu, 05 Jun 2008 Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander has today announced a £500,000 (7.5 million Rand) funding package to provide assistance to migrants in temporary shelters in South Africa affected by the recent violence. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/burma-situation-report.asp Wed, 04 Jun 2008 International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander today announced an initial UK contribution of up to £5 million to help with emergency relief efforts following Cyclone Nargis. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/shahid-big-youth.asp Wed, 04 Jun 2008 Shahid Malik has urged 1,000 young people from a wide range of faiths and backgrounds to work together to help combat poverty in developing countries. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/global-action-food-prices.asp Tue, 03 Jun 2008 Douglas Alexander today called for a concerted international drive to combat food price rises, proposing a new partnership on agriculture and food which will tackle the short-term effects, and the long-term causes, of rising prices. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/alexander-world-food-speech.asp Tue, 03 Jun 2008 Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, address to high level conference on World Food Security at Food and Agriculture Organisation. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/aids-strategy-universal-access.asp Mon, 02 Jun 2008 The UK has led from the front to meet these challenges, and our new AIDS Strategy, Achieving Universal Access, outlines how we will continue to do this over the next seven years up to 2015. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/afghanistan-cap-cons.asp Mon, 02 Jun 2008 Over the next few months we will be thinking through how best to provide development support to the government and people of Afghanistan through the preparation of our Country Plan. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/access-medicines-consultation.asp Mon, 02 Jun 2008 DFID is proposing to establish an Access to Medicines Research Network (ATM RN), which will bring together research institutions from developed and developing countries, to enhance the available evidence on how to make medicines affordable and accessible to the poorest populations. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/DAlexander-aids-full-speech.asp Mon, 02 Jun 2008 Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, gave a speech to launch the new AIDS Strategy at Lancaster House, London, on Monday 2 June 2008. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/new-aids-strat-launch.asp Mon, 02 Jun 2008 Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development launched the updated AIDS strategy Achieving Universal Access – the UK’s strategy for halting and reversing the spread of HIV in the developing world(4 mb) on 2 June 2008 at Lancaster House. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/dfidv-actinghead-interview-june2008.asp Mon, 02 Jun 2008 Acting Head of DFID Vietnam, Keith MacKiggan, interview with Vietnam Investment Review, 2 June 2008. 'At the upcoming Consultative Group (CG) meeting, the UK plans to address key issues, including high inflation.' http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/caribbean-climate-change.asp Fri, 30 May 2008 The UK Government is backing a scheme that will cut the risks from climate change and natural disasters that face many Caribbean countries http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/psi-evaluation.asp Fri, 30 May 2008 Roads, ports, telecommunications, water treatment and other physical infrastructure are vital for economic growth and poverty reduction. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/cluster-munitions.asp Fri, 30 May 2008 The Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions finished today with over 100 countries joining the UK in agreeing an historic treaty to ban cluster munitions. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/caribbean-storms.asp Fri, 30 May 2008 £2.4 million funding to fight the effects of climate change http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/liverpool-hope.asp Thu, 29 May 2008 Liverpool’s Big Hope World Youth Congress, taking place next week, will see DFID Minister Shahid Malik urge young leaders from every faith, background and political persuasion to join together to tackle global poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/china-earthquake.asp Wed, 28 May 2008 The UK Government will give up to £1 million towards the relief effort. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/yogya-earthquake.asp Tue, 27 May 2008 In late May 2006, while Indonesia was still recovering from the devastating impact of the December 2004 tsunami, another strong earthquake and tsunami hit the city of Yogyakarta and the nearby areas of Central and West Java. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ihp/wha.asp Fri, 23 May 2008 At a major meeting this week of the World Health Organisation (WHO), more countries signed up as donors to the International Health Partnership (IHP). http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/palestine-business.asp Fri, 23 May 2008 At a meeting this week of world business leaders, Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, announced a £3 million boost to small businesses in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs). http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/africa-day.asp Fri, 23 May 2008 Great reasons to celebrate this Africa Day! http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/cons-trans-launch.asp Thu, 22 May 2008 A global partnership scheme to tackle corruption in the construction industry backed by £4.4 million from the UK Government was launched today in Tanzania, working alongside the governments of Tanzania, Zambia, Vietnam and the Philippines. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/vietnam-cap-2007-2011.asp Tue, 20 May 2008 Today, the UK Government’s Department for International Development (DFID) officially launched the Country Assistance Plan (Plan) for Vietnam for 2007 – 2011 in Hanoi. Under this plan, the UK Government will provide annual grant aid of £50 million (approximately 100 million US dollars) to Vietnam until the year 2011. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/hollywood-Ashley-Judd-Congo.asp Mon, 19 May 2008 Hollywood actress and YouthAIDS Ambassador Ashley Judd spoke out against malaria during a visit to UK government-funded malaria programmes in the Democratic Republic of Congo. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/climate-google-earth.asp Mon, 19 May 2008 Millions of Google Earth users around the world can now see how climate change could affect the planet and its people over the next century. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/debtrelief-10yearson.asp Sun, 18 May 2008 Ten years have passed since 70,000 people campaigned in Birmingham for debt cancellation for the poorest countries. On Sunday 18 May, charities and the public came together to mark the anniversary and celebrate the achievements of the last decade. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Burma-concept-notes-2.asp Sat, 17 May 2008 This is a second round call for Concept Notes from DFID (CHASE) regarding funding for the Burma Cyclone Nargis response. Please note that for DFID the key issue and constraint within the response to Cyclone Nargis is access. DFID has made an operational decision to prioritise NGOs that are likely to have a head start in operations in Burma. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/meta.asp Thu, 15 May 2008 A powerful new health alliance could save the lives of more than 10 million poor people every year by 2015. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/DAlexander-meta.asp Thu, 15 May 2008 Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, gave a speech at the launch of the Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA) at Lancaster House, London, on Thursday 15 May 2008. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/draft-leg-prog.asp Wed, 14 May 2008 Today, the Government has published Preparing Britain for the Future—the Draft Legislative Programme 2008-09, which sets out the UK Government’s plans for legislative and key non-legislative action in next year’s Parliamentary session. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/china-earthquake.asp Wed, 14 May 2008 UK Government to give £1 million for China earthquake relief http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/platform2-ghan-safrica.asp Tue, 13 May 2008 A group of 18-25 year olds embark on an innovative new volunteering scheme, Platform2, today. It is aimed at raising awareness of global development and voluntary work amongst young British adults who would not normally be able to afford the opportunity to volunteer overseas. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/burma-first-flight.asp Mon, 12 May 2008 The UK’s first aid flight for Burma is leaving for Rangoon today, announced Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander. The flight contains plastic sheets, which will provide desperately needed shelter for over 9,000 families affected by Cyclone Nargis. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/europe-day-08.asp Fri, 09 May 2008 Today is Europe Day 2008. The motto of the European Union (EU) is “united in diversity”, which means Europeans are united in working together for peace and prosperity, and that Europe''s many different cultures, traditions and languages are a positive asset for the continent. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/burma-SOS-statement1.asp Fri, 09 May 2008 The situation in Burma as a result of Cyclone Nargis is rapidly deteriorating. Many hundreds of thousands of lives are at stake. The Burmese authorities must grant international agencies full and unfettered access now. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/annual-report-08.asp Thu, 08 May 2008 The report gives a full statement of where we spent public money over the last year and where we have pledged to spend it in coming years to tackle the challenges that we face. It is intended to provide Parliament, members of the public, our partners and others interested in development issues with a comprehensive account of our work and key developments from April 2007 to March 2008. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/5.5m-fight-poverty.asp Thu, 08 May 2008 Fair trade football tournaments, radio lessons for schoolchildren in developing countries and farm visits for 5-11 year olds are among the new projects sharing a £5.5m Government funding boost, Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander announced today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/sos-webchat.asp Wed, 07 May 2008 Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, took part in a live webchat on the 10 Downing Street website on 7 May. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/Two-companies-kenya.asp Wed, 07 May 2008 Today, at the Business Call to Action event in London, Cisco and Vodafone, two of the world’s leading companies, announced new initiatives that will help boost economic growth in Kenya.. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/business-call-to-action.asp Tue, 06 May 2008 Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the United Nations Development Programme’s Kemal Dervis welcomed more than 80 CEOs from some of the world’s largest companies to London today to showcase new business initiatives to reduce poverty in the developing world. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/palestine-investment.asp Fri, 02 May 2008 On 1 May, the Secretary of State hosted a “Curtain Raiser” for the Palestine Investment Conference (PIC-Palestine) that will take place on 21-23 May in Bethlehem. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/stakeholder-survey-08.asp Fri, 02 May 2008 DFID's first ever stakeholder survey has resulted in broadly positive feedback, delivering the message that DFID's staff and their expertise are the department’s biggest assets. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/illegal-fishing.asp Wed, 30 Apr 2008 Minister for Trade and Development Gareth Thomas said today that the scale of illegal fishing could be double earlier estimates, with weak international governance hampering progress to tackle the problem. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/fighting-rights-poor.asp Wed, 30 Apr 2008 £130 million to support ground-breaking projects that will give a voice to the poor in developing countries and help them fight for their rights, was announced today by Douglas Alexander, International Development Secretary. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/guardian-think-global.asp Tue, 29 Apr 2008 Over the coming year, curriculum changes across schools in the UK will develop pupils’ understanding of how actions at home and abroad affect the wider world. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/gillian-GCE-event.asp Mon, 28 Apr 2008 Gillian Merron gave the keynote speech at the Global Campaign for Education Parliamentary event, Tuesday 22nd April 2008. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/world-malaria-day-08.asp Fri, 25 Apr 2008 Today, 25 April, is World Malaria Day 2008. It is an opportunity for everyone to learn about the consequences of the disease, to share lessons on how to control it, and to join the worldwide effort against it. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/commitment-civil-society.asp Fri, 25 Apr 2008 The Department for International Development (DFID) has committed an additional £20 million funding for UK and international NGOs, strengthening its support for voluntary and community organisations and building on the valuable contribution they make tackling global poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/gbrown-unlocks-finances-africa.asp Thu, 24 Apr 2008 Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced plans for the Department for International Development (DFID) to work with the Grameen Group and private sector partners to help Africa’s poorest citizens access to and unlock the power of financial services. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/research-strategy-launch.asp Thu, 24 Apr 2008 On 22 April, DFID launched its Research Strategy - a five-year, £1 billion plan that will put research at the heart of fighting poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/food-prices.asp Tue, 22 Apr 2008 A £455 million aid package to address rising global food prices was announced today by Douglas Alexander, International Development Secretary. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/research-strategy.asp Tue, 22 Apr 2008 Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, today launched a new Research Strategy that will see the UK become the largest Government funder of research for development. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/research-strategy-speech.asp Tue, 22 Apr 2008 Speech by the Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander launching the London International Development Centre and the DFID Research Strategy at the Institute of Education, London, 22 April 2008 http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/fairer-trade-deal.asp Mon, 21 Apr 2008 A UK International Development Minister today called for more effort to conclude trade negotiations that will enable developing countries to trade their way towards growth and prosperity http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/global-campaign-education.asp Fri, 18 Apr 2008 The week of 21-27 April was the Global Week of Action on education. Around the world, the Global Campaign for Education highlighted the importance not just of education for all, but of quality education for all. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/alexander-climate-nyc.asp Mon, 14 Apr 2008 Speech by Douglas Alexander, UK Secretary of State for International Development, at an event hosted by New York University''s Center on International Co-operation, New York, 14 April 2008 http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/afghanistan-pefa.asp Fri, 11 Apr 2008 Afghanistan now ranks higher than middle income countries in several key areas, according to the latest assessment into financial management systems undertaken by the PEFA group. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/climate-etf.asp Fri, 11 Apr 2008 In response to the growing recognition that climate change and development are inextricably linked, the UK is providing £800 million to help tackle the challenge. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/CSCF-competition-08.asp Wed, 09 Apr 2008 We are pleased to announce that the DFID Civil Society Team have completed assessment of the applications received for the CSCF 2008 Competition. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/IFFIm.asp Wed, 09 Apr 2008 Last month, the International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm) successfully issued a second bond in the international capital markets. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/£5m-write-off-jamaica-debt.asp Wed, 09 Apr 2008 The UK is writing off £5 million of debt owed by Jamaica after important steps by its new government in reform since its election in September 2007. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/kenya-fco.asp Wed, 09 Apr 2008 Statement on power-sharing in Kenya by Foreign Secretary David Miliband http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/spring-meeting-2008.asp Wed, 09 Apr 2008 The weekend of 12-13 April saw the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/g8-tokyo-april08.asp Tue, 08 Apr 2008 On 5-6 April, International Development Minister Gareth Thomas met G8 Development Ministers in Tokyo to discuss development and climate change and how to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/UK-keeps-promises-poor.asp Fri, 04 Apr 2008 New figures published by the Department for International Development show that the UK Government will be rapidly increasing aid, keeping its promises to fight global poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/gillian-mobilising.asp Fri, 04 Apr 2008 ''The public and development: Mobilising to reduce global poverty'' - Speech by Gillian Merron to the ''Bradford Centre for International Development'' at Bradford University, Thursday 13 March 2008 http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/tajikistan.asp Fri, 04 Apr 2008 Earlier this year, the Central Asian country of Tajikistan was gripped by freezing weather conditions which saw temperatures in some parts of the country fall to as low as -20 degrees. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/mines-awareness-day.asp Thu, 03 Apr 2008 In many countries, the deaths and injuries caused by war don''t stop when the fighting ends. Landmines, and other unexploded weapons can lie hidden in forests, farmland and buildings for years, waiting for victims to maim and kill. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/£32m-extra-palestine-needs08.asp Wed, 02 Apr 2008 The UK today committed to provide £32 million extra in aid for Palestinians in 2008 as part of an overall pledge to give up to £243m in the next three years linked to political progress. This will take our total contribution to £63.6 million for the year between April 2007 and March 2008. The funds will help to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, pay teachers, doctors and engineers and keep basic services running. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/education-all-comp.asp Wed, 02 Apr 2008 Three finalists have been announced in a competition to use social media to engage students with international development issues. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ukraine.asp Wed, 02 Apr 2008 At the end of March 2008, DFID closed its bilateral programme in Ukraine. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/eu-isp-consultation-news.asp Mon, 31 Mar 2008 International Development Minister Gareth Thomas today launched the consultation on DFID’s strategy for enhancing the European Union’s role in global development. Speaking in Brussels, the Minister highlighted the important role that Europe has to play in global development. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/growth-centre-37m.asp Mon, 31 Mar 2008 UK Secretary for State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, today announced at least £37 million over the next three years to establish a new International Growth Centre. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/alexander-growth.asp Mon, 31 Mar 2008 ‘Growth at the heart of development’ - Speech by Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, on Monday 31st March 2008 http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/consultations-eu-isp.asp Mon, 31 Mar 2008 We have put a new emphasis on working with the EU. We are fully committed to working more closely with our European partners: with the other EU Member States, with the European Commission, with European parliamentarians and with civil society on international development policy. We will work transparently, we will be open to challenge and importantly, we will be ready to learn from others. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/vso-50th.asp Fri, 28 Mar 2008 This year, VSO celebrates its 50th anniversary - half a century of fighting poverty through the work of its volunteers. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/african-children-into-education.asp Fri, 28 Mar 2008 The UK Government today pledged to increase spending on education in Africa to $1 billion in 2010, to ensure 8 million children in Africa have access to education. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/merron-southafrica.asp Wed, 26 Mar 2008 Gillian Merron, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development, recently visited Johannesburg, South Africa. She gained a first hand view of the depth of poverty and inequality in the wealthiest province in South Africa. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/muslim-support-mdgs.asp Sun, 23 Mar 2008 UK Minister for International Development, Shahid Malik, today addressed the inaugural World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists (WCMP), where he urged the Islamic world to unite in the fight to eradicate global poverty. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/15million-iraq-humanitarian.asp Thu, 20 Mar 2008 International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander today announced that the UK would contribute £12 million to international humanitarian agencies operating in Iraq, including £5 million to the Consolidated Appeal for Iraq (CAP). He also announced £3 million for the UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) assistance programme for Iraqi refugees, bringing DFID’s total humanitarian contribution for Iraq to £15 million this year. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/shahid-global-issues.asp Thu, 20 Mar 2008 International Development Minister, Shahid Malik, visited Devon to find out how students in the UK are learning about global issues. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/bangladesh-additional-£5m.asp Thu, 20 Mar 2008 The UK’s aid for Bangladesh will reach £125 million for the current financial year following the announcement today of a further £5m in support for survivors of the November cyclone. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/world-water-day-2008.asp Thu, 20 Mar 2008 Saturday 22 March is World Water Day. 2008 is also the International Year of Sanitation. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/40million-sudanese-people.asp Wed, 19 Mar 2008 As Sudan faces the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander today announced a further £40 million in humanitarian UK aid for those most in need. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/8m-water-sharing.asp Wed, 19 Mar 2008 International Development Minister Gareth Thomas pledged over £8 million today to tackle the growing threat of water conflict. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/afghan-farmers-day.asp Wed, 19 Mar 2008 The Afghan new year starts on 20 March and the first day of the year is called Naw Ruz (The New Day). Jashni Dehqan (Festival of Farmers) is one of the events during Naw Ruz. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/somalis-sendmoneyhome.asp Wed, 19 Mar 2008 People sending money to family and friends in Somalia stand to get a better deal with the launch today of a programme to boost transparency and competition among money transfer companies. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/African-eastenders.asp Tue, 18 Mar 2008 South Africa’s most popular soap opera, funded by the UK Government, is helping to save lives. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/DRC-plans.asp Tue, 18 Mar 2008 Dave Fish, DFID Director for East and Central Africa met with President Kabila and key members of the Government and the international community to consult on DFID’s business plan and support over the next three years. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/speeches/thomas-water-sanitation.asp Tue, 18 Mar 2008 Speech by Gareth Thomas at the Water Forum on 18 March 2008. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/volunteering-boost.asp Sat, 15 Mar 2008 Public sector workers, including doctors, nurses, police, and teachers, stand to benefit from £13 million in new pension contributions when they volunteer in the poorest countries in the world, the Government announced today. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/alexander-vso-fulltext.asp Sat, 15 Mar 2008 Keynote speech by Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, Secretary of State for International Development, at Royal Festival Hall, London, 15 March 2008 http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/support-dispora-volunteers.asp Fri, 14 Mar 2008 Douglas Alexander, today announced the next step to opening up volunteering opportunities to people in all parts of British society. Mr Alexander committed £3 million over three years to support an initiative to encourage people from diaspora communities to get involved in volunteering to help fight poverty in developing countries. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/nepal-7m-boost.asp Wed, 12 Mar 2008 The UK government today announced £7 million ($14m) to support Nepal’s first democratic elections in over 50 years. The money will also be used to strengthen the peace process and to improve human rights for the Nepali population. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/2million-supermarket-fund.asp Tue, 11 Mar 2008 International Development Minister, Gareth Thomas today called on major retailers to use their purchasing power to help developing countries. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/world-classroom.asp Tue, 11 Mar 2008 In this new publication you can read about this work and find out where to go for support if you are involved in teaching or education here in the UK. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/guardian-journalism.asp Tue, 11 Mar 2008 The Guardian is looking for new and experienced journalists to write about international development. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/3million-afghan-food.asp Sun, 09 Mar 2008 Douglas Alexander, International Development Secretary, today announced £3 million in new funding to help meet the growing food shortages in Afghanistan. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/international-womens-day-08.asp Fri, 07 Mar 2008 Saturday 8 March is International Women’s Day – a celebration of the progress that women have achieved around the world, and a moment of hope for the future. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/100m-vietnam.asp Wed, 05 Mar 2008 The UK today announced that it will give £100 million in aid to help lift 16 million people, who live on less than $1 a day, out of poverty in Vietnam. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ihp/six-months.asp Wed, 05 Mar 2008 Today marks six months since the Prime Minister, Ministers from developing and donor countries, and leaders from all of the major health agencies launched the International Health Partnership (IHP). http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/5million-afghan-women.asp Tue, 04 Mar 2008 Speaking at an International Women’s Day panel organised by the NGO Gender and Development Network, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander announced an additional £5 million to the Government of Afghanistan’s microfinance scheme. This brings the UK’s total investment in the scheme to £35 million. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/india-education.asp Tue, 04 Mar 2008 Prime Minister Gordon Brown today pledged £150 million to help to get all children in India into primary school. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/alexander-womens-rights.asp Tue, 04 Mar 2008 Speech by Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, to the Gender and Development Network http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/volunteering-programme.asp Fri, 29 Feb 2008 A new Government-backed global volunteering scheme has been launched for 18- to 25-year-olds. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ps-minouche.asp Thu, 28 Feb 2008 Sir Gus O’Donnell has announced that Nemat Shafik, known as Minouche, is to be appointed as DFID’s new Permanent Secretary on 3 March 2008. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/tajikistan-freeze.asp Thu, 28 Feb 2008 The UK’s International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander, today announced £1.5 million to support international relief efforts for the growing humanitarian crisis in Tajikistan. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/volunteering-scheme.asp Thu, 28 Feb 2008 Douglas Alexander announces new Global Volunteering Scheme for young adults http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/Speeches/thomas-climate-change-ill.asp Thu, 28 Feb 2008 Never has the concept of the global village been more true than today. Telecommunications, satellite technology and air travel connect us, and indeed take us, to every corner of the globe. But we are connected in a more profound way - through linked environmental systems – or - ecosystems. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/joint-statement-darfur08.asp Wed, 27 Feb 2008 The Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, and the Secretary of State for International Development, Douglas Alexander, today expressed their deep concern about continued reports of ongoing violence in West Darfur. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/zimbabwe-medicines.asp Wed, 27 Feb 2008 The UK Government today announced £5 million to buy much needed medicines and supplies to help prevent the collapse of basic health services in Zimbabwe. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/fairtrade-funding-08.asp Tue, 26 Feb 2008 The international Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, announces a doubling of funds to Fairtrade labelling, a commitment of £1.2 million over 2 years. The international Development Secretary Douglas Alexander, will tonight announce a doubling of funds to Fairtrade labelling, a commitment of £1.2 million over 2 years. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/fairtrade-fortnight.asp Tue, 26 Feb 2008 Fairtrade Fortnight, which takes place between 25 February and 09 March, is all about promoting fairer trade between rich and poor countries. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/sierra-leone-taps-water.asp Sat, 23 Feb 2008 International Development Minister Douglas Alexander today launched a £32m five-year water, sanitation and hygiene education programme in Sierra Leone. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/pressreleases/250m-ghana.asp Fri, 22 Feb 2008 During a visit to Ghana, Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development today announced a 20% increase in UK aid to Ghana over the next three years, totalling £250 million. http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/kosovo-independence.asp Wed, 20 Feb 2008 On 17 February 2008 Kosovo's Parliament unanimously endorsed a declaration of independence from Serbia.