London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has released new Bilateral and Multilateral Aid Reviews setting out its vision for global development.

Raising the standard: The Multilateral Development Review 2016 and Rising to the challenge of ending poverty: The Bilateral Development Review 2016 set out how DFID believes the UK can deliver the best results on the ground for the world's poorest people, and address the global response to problems such as the migration crisis, cross-border conflict, climate change and disease pandemics.

Commenting on the reviews, Professor Peter Piot, Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said: "We welcome the reviews of DFID's bilateral and multilateral development assistance, and commend the government's continuing commitment to investing 0.7% of national income in international development.

"The Ebola crisis in West Africa demonstrated that weak health systems, poverty, fragility and the legacy of conflict can fuel disease outbreaks, and Ebola itself was a huge setback to development gains in the worst affected countries. It is very positive to see that in the reviews, DFID has reiterated the need to tackle some of the urgent global health and development challenges of our time, including epidemics, humanitarian crises, climate change, and displacement and migration on a huge scale.

"The strong emphasis on global health security, fighting drug resistant infections, supporting vulnerable populations in the world's poorest countries, and continuing work to end violence against women and girls is particularly welcome. As called for by the reviews, British universities' scientific multidisciplinary research and education are key to advancing global health - not only to support development of new drugs, vaccines and diagnostics, but also research to improve health systems, services and delivery, and support capacity strengthening efforts in low and middle-income countries. 

"The UK has a key role to play in addressing global challenges and improving the lives of those living in poverty and in fragile states. The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine will continue to contribute robust research, education and policy advice to support DFID's goals. I am encouraged by DFID's commitment to global health and look forward to our continued partnership."

Related links

• Rising to the challenge of ending poverty: the Bilateral Development Review 2016  
• Raising the standard: the Multilateral Development Review 2016

Image: UK aid shelter kits are loaded for shipment in Dubai. Credit: Flickr / DFID