We deliver UKaid in many different ways. This is to increase the likelihood of it working in different environments.
We continually monitor how we deliver aid so that more goes where it is needed. If we become aware of obstacles in a country, such as corruption or human rights abuses, we may stop our aid or change the way we deliver it.
Most UKaid from DFID (57% in 2008/2009) goes to developing countries either directly or through an international body. In 2008/09, 27% went directly to governments, to spend on the priorities they set themselves for helping their citizens out of poverty.
Almost a third of UKaid (39% in 2008/2009) goes to international bodies for their own activities in developing countries. Activities include work on healthcare, education and economic growth. The main recipients are:
- the European Commission
- the World Bank
- the United Nations
- the Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria.
UKaid is also provided to charities. These include international charities like Oxfam, VSO and Action Aid and charities based in developing countries. Individual charities decide how to use this support, but all have audit systems in place, agreed with us, to ensure that aid is used effectively.
We also provide UKaid directly to development projects on the ground. In most cases, we work with one or more development organisations (mainly non-governmental organisations).
In response to humanitarian crises, UKaid is provided to international bodies, charities or directly to the countries affected.
But our work is about more than aid. We also aim to influence governments and organisations to work to reduce poverty.
The publication Statistics on International Development (see link below) sets out how we have worked over the last financial year to fight world poverty.