UK Aid Direct has provided a major funding to the charities which help people with disabilities in developing countries. These grants come in the second round of funding from UK Aid Direct. In total, 30 small and medium sized civil society organisations, who work on a wide range of issues throughout the developing world will benefit.
Funding will also be provided to projects focussed on disability inclusion, projects working on food security and nutrition as well as preventing violence against women and children.
Announcing the latest round of funding, Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt said, “An estimated 800 million people with disabilities live in developing countries. Small and medium sized charities offer a wealth of experience, expertise and skills essential to our mission to find innovative new solutions to complex development problems. Many of these charities represent the best of British expertise and I am extremely proud that through UK Aid Direct, we are strengthening our great partnerships with them to improve the lives of those living in extreme poverty.
Many of these charities work in health and education to ensure people with disabilities are getting the support they need including; eye care services in hard to reach areas, support to deaf communities and where possible helping people with disabilities find suitable employment.
They work with people of all ages in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Afghanistan where people with disabilities are often the most vulnerable in society. AbleChild Africa, Humanity and Inclusion, British and Irish Agencies Afghanistan Group, Orbis Charitable Trust and Deafkidz concentrate a lot of their work on people with disabilities who can be marginalised by society.
UK Aid Direct has already reached more than 3 million people, through 147 grants, across 31 countries.
The UK government will co-host its first-ever Global Disability Summit in London in July alongside the International Disability Alliance and the Government of Kenya. The summit will bring together leaders from the private sector, governments, donor agencies and charities to raise awareness of this under-prioritised issue and show our commitment to transform the lives of people with disabilities.
