Today (Wednesday 4th November) the Small International Development Charities Network (SIDCN), representing over 10,000 UK charities, has announced an urgent bid for support from the Government. They are asking for an allocation of approximately 0.35% of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA), over two years to enable these charities to continue the global fight against coronavirus and poverty.
Surveys from the SIDCN show that 89% of these charities are on the frontline responding to COVID-19 in the communities that they work in. They have pivoted services overnight and are finding new and innovative ways to support the most vulnerable communities in the world through this crisis.
COVID-19 has had a disproportionate effect on the sector, which is seeing a 27% increase in demand and a 33% loss in income due to funds being paused or refocused. Small international development charities have shown great resilience over the last seven months’ despite only 4% of charities surveyed being eligible for any Government support.
There are 10,093 small UK charities working in ‘international aid/famine relief’. These grassroots organisations are led by small teams and communities of volunteers from across every corner of the UK. Their work is embedded in overseas communities that are often difficult to reach. However 45% of the small charities in the UK working to fight the pandemic at a global level, face closure by the end of Spring 2021.
SIDCN is asking for urgent, unrestricted funds to secure the sector. Their campaign, Small But Mighty, seeks £50 million over two years.
A collapse of this sector would mean a loss of an estimated 25,000 UK jobs but more importantly a collapse of its impact and the progress made in poverty reduction, climate change, access to education and nutrition around the world.
Claire Collins, Trustee of Small International Development Charities Network said:
“Our work is essential on an international level. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have had to sharply refocus, finding new and innovative ways to adapt and work with communities to fight back.
“The impact that the loss of our sector would mean closer to home is also deeply concerning. As a sector, we employ thousands of talented people, working in local towns up and down the country. We need urgent support to secure these vital charities who are supporting millions of people in the fight against COVID-19”.