DFID helps in lifting at least 3 million people out of poverty each year

The Department for International Development (DFID) is responsible for managing UK aid to poor & developing nations. DFID works in around 90 countries and in 2008/09 spent £5.5 billion in UK aid to poorer countries. This budget will increase to £7.8 billion by 2010/11 and will reach 0.7% of the UK's gross national income by 2013. In 2009, UK aid increased by 14.6% which makes the UK one of the largest donors in terms of volume.

DFID Priorities for how UK aid is spent

• Climate and environment - climate change affects us all, but people living in the world's poorest countries are hit hardest.
• Malaria - half of the world’s population is at risk of malaria. The disease disproportionately affects the poor, children, pregnant women and places an immense burden on health systems.
• Reproductive, maternal and newborn health - every year more than a third of a million women die from complications in pregnancy & childbirth – the majority in developing countries.
• Water and sanitation - almost 900 million people still lack access to safe drinking water and 2.6 billion lack access to basic sanitation.
• Wealth creation and private sector - economic growth is the most important means of raising incomes and reducing poverty.
• DFID support to civil society - DFID works with over 200 international and UK civil society organisations.

Development Awareness Fund (DAF)

DFID manages the Development Awareness Fund (DAF), which aims to build support for development by generating greater levels of awareness and understanding of international development issues. The UK Local Government Alliance for International Development have received three year DAF funding until November 2011 through UKaid to support its work on raising awareness of global poverty issues within UK local councils.