A co-ordinated approach from the government across departments including the Department for International Development, the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Defence, to dealing with countries suffering from conflict is sensible but the critical issue is how this is implemented.

For example in Afghanistan, where ActionAid has worked for several years, the need for such joined up thinking is obvious but if development work is seen as simply supporting Western security interests then this could undermine the effectiveness of vital community projects. Aid in Afghanistan must be distributed across the whole country according to where poverty is greatest and according to a sound development case. This will mean local people are involved as much as possible which helps to ensure projects are sustainable and successful.

In addition the focus on more conflict affected countries should not be at the price of aid programmes in countries which may not make the headlines because they are politically stable but are home to millions of the world’s poorest people, for example Ghana, Tanzania or Sierra Leone.
 
Richard Miller, Executive Director of ActionAid UK, said: “UK government aid is highly respected around the world for the good it does and the selfless way it is given. It is known for putting the elimination of poverty at its heart. This is an international reputation which ultimately enhances the UK’s standing abroad and helps build security for UK citizens.
 
“This focus on poverty alleviation must continue and aid programmes must be delivered by civil society and local government with the appropriate skills, rather than military actors. ActionAid looks forward to hearing more detail from the government about how UK aid will work in practice in conflict countries.
 
“It is also important that balance is maintained. We are concerned about how UK aid will continue to help support those countries which are not wrestling with conflict but still face a protracted battle against poverty."