Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps her Department is taking to support Overseas Development Institute fellows who have been evacuated due to covid-19 to complete their contracts when it is safe to do so.

The ODI Fellowship Scheme recruits and posts early career economists and statisticians of different nationalities to work as civil servants in developing country institutions for two-year placements. Approximately 80% of Overseas Development Institute fellows have been evacuated to their home countries. Seventeen remain at post, most of whom are engaged in supporting their host governments’ COVID-19 response. We are liaising closely with ODI on their plans to return fellows to post when it is safe to do so and to ensure the continuing safety of those remaining. Most fellows are working remotely and are continuing to support their host governments. We are working with ODI to ensure that fellows are able to operate effectively in these circumstances.