How do your taxes actually get to those in need?

From the UK Government/DFID:

• To international organisations
  (EU, UN, World Bank, and the regional development banks) – provide aid from many donor countries to support development.
• To international charities

...and via DFID offices in poor countries:

• Direct to governments
  In 2003-2005 the UK gave £60 million direct to the Ghanaian Government. This helped double their spending on reducing poverty and improved education and health.
• Direct to projects based in poor countries
  ‘Makutano Junction’ in East Africa, an original television drama funded by the UK is educating people in rural areas about preventing HIV and malaria, and parental involvement in schools.
• To Charities working in poor countries.
  In Kenya, the Special Needs Education Support Project run by VSO has helped 1,900 disabled children go to school

And in a disaster, we send blankets, tents, food and medicines from our warehouses around the world. Our planes get search-and-rescue teams there. We support organisations like the Red Cross and UN to set up camps and give help. And then we stay to help rebuild homes, businesses and roads.