Expert comment – MPs committee on UK aid spending

21 Apr 2016

UK-Med co-ordinates the UK's deployment to international humanitarian zones

UK humanitarian deployment leads, based at the University are reacting to today’s report from MPs on aid spending.

Professor Bertrand Taithe, executive director of the University’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute said: “When it comes to the role of the UN in international humanitarian system and overseas development there is tension. Ultimately the UK is one of the largest contributors to humanitarian assistance worldwide but that assistance is still modest compared with needs.

“Western powers are also under pressure to 'let go' of aid and not control them too tightly. Giving in to that imperative affects how accountable some of that aid will be in strict financial terms.”

Earlier this year UK-Med, the medical emergency response charity based here at the University, become the UK’s deployment lead to global humanitarian crises.

In recent years UK-Med deployed clinicians to Sierra Leone to help in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus, to the Philippines post Typhoon Haiyan, to the Gaza conflict and to Haiti and Nepal in response to earthquakes.

Professor Tony Redmond OBE, Deputy Director of the Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute and Head of UK-Med, said: “Naturally we are very happy that our response to fighting the Ebola outbreak was singled out for praise because it reflects the good work done by UK-Med and the cost effectiveness of NHS-based work.”