2016: UK aid in review
A look back at the positive progress made on international development issues by UK aid in 2016.
The end of the Ebola epidemic
In January 2016, the world welcomed the end of Ebola in West Africa. It was the worst outbreak ever seen — and could have led to a global pandemic if hadn’t been tackled by the many medics, military and aid workers who put their lives on the line for others.
Education for all Syrian refugee children
February saw more than 60 countries pledging to prevent a generation of Syrians from growing up without schooling. Now, children like Chouk are getting back in the classroom, thanks to the commitment to get all refugee children into education by 2017.
The warriors campaigning for women’s rights
On International Women’s Day in March, we met the male warriors who are taking a stand against female genital mutilation — starting a campaign to end the practice in their community, for good.
Prince Harry hails earthquake heroes in Nepal
A year on from the earthquake that struck near Kathmandu, Prince Harry paid tribute to the aid workers who provided life-saving help and those who helped the country to get back on its feet.
The ladies clearing explosives in Laos
This all-female team continued their pain-staking task of clearing deadly unexploded bombs from Laos — the ongoing clean up from the Vietnam War. Over the decades since, MAG has helped to clear more than 52 million square metres of land across the country.
A million jobs for Syrian refugees
On a visit to Lebanon and Jordan in August, Development Secretary Priti Patel called for a renewed push to deliver 1 million jobs for Syrian refugees, as a key commitment of the London Syria Conference held in February.
Help on hand for Haiti
Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti hard in October, but help was quickly on hand. UK aid had supplies ready-to-go on the ground and sent more life-saving help within hours of the storm’s impact.
A new team to tackle disease outbreaks
Learning the lessons from Ebola, Britain drew together a team of top health experts in November — ready to respond in the event of any new outbreaks.
No tolerance for violence against women
Today in 2016, 1 in 3 women will experience violence in their lifetime. Priti Patel vowed to end this injustice: “We cannot and will not tolerate this.”
Disability becomes a top UK development priority
In December, the UK pledged to lead a step-change in the world’s efforts to end poverty by pushing disability up the global development agenda.
A commitment to end modern slavery
Modern slavery is a barbaric crime which destroys the lives of vulnerable and exploited people across the globe. This year, the UK rallied businesses, governments, charities, activists, faith groups and individuals to work together to stop these crimes for good.
Support for those who fled fighting in Mosul
As winter set in, Britain stepped up support in Iraq, providing life-saving aid to hundreds of thousands of people driven from their homes by Daesh brutality.
Millions of pounds raised for the Yemen crisis
As 2016 comes to a close, the British public stepped up to help 10 million people in desperate need in Yemen. UK aid is matching donations, pound for pound up to £5 million — doubling the difference the public’s generosity will make in providing children with clean water, food and medical help.
