Written evidence submitted by International
Alert
SUMMARY
International Alert welcomes the opportunity
to comment on the publication of this draft Bill. Our principal
argument, however, is that in order to genuinely transform the
lives of the most vulnerable in the developing world attention
must be paid to how the money is spent not simply how much money
is being spent. This is of particular importance to those regions
affected by armed conflict where aid, if designed without due
care and attention to the specific political environment, can
result in harm to those it is intended to benefit.
Therefore we would like the Committee to consider
what indicators would be used to adjudge the success or otherwise
of British overseas development assistance, in addition to the
overall level of that assistance in financial terms.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. In addition to the repeal of section
3 of the 2006 Act, that the 2006 Act is further amended to require
the Secretary of State to report to Parliament on how British
aid has been used in those states and regions affected by armed
conflict and that such reports include reference to the impact
of British aid on building peace and reducing the likelihood of
armed conflict.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL
ALERT
International Alert is an independent peacebuilding
organisation that has worked for over 20 years to lay the foundations
for lasting peace and security in communities affected by violent
conflict. Our multifaceted approach focuses both in and across
various regions; aiming to shape policies and practices that affect
peacebuilding; and helping build skills and capacity through training.
Our field work is based in Africa, South Asia,
the South Caucasus, Latin America, Lebanon and the Philippines.
Our thematic projects work at local, regional and international
levels, focusing on cross-cutting issues critical to building
sustainable peace. These include business and economy, gender,
governance, aid, security and justice. We are one of the world's
leading peacebuilding NGOs with more than 120 staff based in London
and our 11 field offices.
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