Scotland, with a population less than London’s, is one of the four nations comprising the U.K. While the British Government in Westminster has its own foreign aid budget, the Scottish Government based in Edinburgh has approved additional funding for its own international development program. Here are three ways Scotland’s fight against poverty benefits people in need.

1. International Development Fund

Scotland’s fight against global poverty is demonstrated through its International Development Fund (IDF). The IDF provides £10 million in development assistance and capacity strengthening across countries the Scottish Government has partnered with Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda and Pakistan.

The Scotland-Malawi Partnership receives a significant portion of its funding from the IDF, enabling it to promote development in Malawi. More than 300,000 people are involved across Scotland and Malawi to provide much-needed aid, such as raising £40,000 for emergency oxygen supplies and supporting Malawi through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Several high-profile figures, including former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and the leaders of other major Scottish political parties, have also praised the partnership. The President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, commended the Scotland-Malawi Partnership for its work raising funds and coordinating efforts, which he said showed the impact that Scotland’s fight against poverty can have in partner countries.

2. Humanitarian Emergency Fund

Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) is a £1 million package aimed at helping people that natural disasters, disease and war endanger. Beginning in 2017, the HEF has helped support people during crises. People received help during famine in East Africa, floods in Pakistan and war in Ukraine.

Scotland pledged half a million pounds in 2023 to combat hunger in East Africa by improving access to vital food and water. This support is invaluable to the poorest people globally. For example, 5,000 people in Ethiopia’s Afar region received food aid after locusts destroyed their crops.

3. Funding Safeguards

The Scottish Government has a strict safeguarding policy for all its international development funding. Extremely high ethical standards are in place for the Scottish Government and its partner organizations. These standards prevent abuse and exploitation in the international development sector.

Research suggests that political elites in recipient countries can siphon money away from donations. Devastatingly, this would prevent efficient aid from reaching vulnerable populations. A strong safeguarding policy will help Scotland’s fight against poverty to have a positive impact where it is most needed. 

While the funding Scotland allocates to international aid may be small compared to the amount needed to eradicate global poverty, it is refreshing to see the Scottish government increase its International Development Fund budget while the British government is cutting its foreign aid budget.

Scotland’s fight against poverty may seem like a small effort on the international scale. However, for the thousands of vulnerable people it has aided, it will be a crucial way to help them improve their lives.

– Jamie Paterson
Photo: Flickr