Official Development Assistance
Lord Sarfraz Excerpts(3 years, 5 months ago)
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Lord Sarfraz (Con)
My Lords, last week our permanent envoy to the UN said that the situation in Myanmar is fast becoming a humanitarian crisis and that 60% of healthcare facilities are not functioning. I have spoken to a number of NGOs on the ground, and their message is consistent. They are struggling with resources. I therefore welcome the Government’s announcement that we will reprioritise our spending towards urgent humanitarian needs in Myanmar.
I would be grateful if my noble friend the Deputy Leader could tell us what progress has been made on reducing our reliance on consultants and advisers in deploying our overseas development assistance? Looking across our portfolio, it is incredible that the same names appear over and over again. For example, take the Palladium group. It is hired by us to work on dozens of projects across the world. It operates in 90 countries and claims expertise in every aspect of development: healthcare, education, environment, infrastructure—it does it all. There are half a dozen organisations like it which are repeatedly mentioned across our country reports. We are propping up a development industry. Between them, they employ hundreds of consultants and grant writers. As a result, smaller, local, less polished but much more impactful organisations never get a chance to partner with us. They now need us more than ever before. As we reprioritise our commitments, let us also broaden who we work with; even if they do not have glossy presentations or host global development summits, they may well give us much more value for money.
The Deputy Chairman of Committees (Lord Faulkner of Worcester) (Lab)
The noble Lord, Lord Cashman, is unable to take part in the debate, so I call the noble Lord, Lord Bruce of Bennachie.
His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Lord Sarfraz Excerpts(3 years, 7 months ago)
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Lord Sarfraz (Con)
My Lords, the Duke of Edinburgh was a trail-blazer, well ahead of his time in so many ways.
Long before it was fashionable to be an environmentalist, he helped to establish the WWF—the World Wide Fund for Nature—60 years ago. I have been associated with the WWF for several years, and I know that the international conservation community mourns his loss.
Long before global awards and competitions existed, Prince Philip established the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme. Growing up in Pakistan, I met young men and women from the most remote parts of the country who had one thing in common: the award programme had changed their lives in some way. Globally, there is still no other award scheme that reaches so many young people.
Long before it was popular to support one’s wife in her career, the Duke of Edinburgh showed us how it is done. He set the bar extremely high.
This week, Muslims start the holy month of Ramadan. It is a period of reflection and prayer. I will reflect on the importance of service to others, in which the Duke of Edinburgh’s life has been a masterclass from which we all can learn so much.
His Royal Highness was a champion of interfaith dialogue, as the most reverend Primate the Archbishop of Canterbury knows better than anyone else. All faiths recognise his leadership and contributions.
I join noble Lords in offering my deepest condolences. We will pray for Her Majesty the Queen, members of the Royal Family and our country during this time of loss.