As you will have heard the Department for International Development has recently undertaken an overall review of UK aid expenditure and has drastically reduced the number of countries to whom development funding will be given. You can find the relevant documents on the DFID website (http://www.dfid.gov.uk/). While Mali previously received relatively little money through DFID funded programmes this change is clearly very unhelpful. We had hoped, given the recent establishment of a UK Embassy in Mali, and strong developing ties between Mali and Britain that if anything Mali would have higher priority into the future. We have, therefore, drafted a letter to the Secretary of State  expressing our concern (see below).

Alongside this we would also suggest that you to take action yourself. We would like you to write to your MP and express your concern. You can stress the following key points:

  • Mali is a democratic Islamic country and an ally against extremism in an area of high risk and potential conflict.
  • Mali is one of the very poorest countries in the world, but has shown a strongly effective use of development money, as is evident in the DFID review- J&D, our largest partner, is a good example of community development, transparency and good governance.
  • Mali is particularly vulnerable to economic fragility and climate change issues are of great significance given its geographical location.

Daniel Price, who researched and developed the letter to DFID is doing work, on behalf of MDG to try and develop links with MPs, so that we can regularly lobby on issues affecting Mali, so if you write to your MP can you let Daniel know who you wrote to and also send him a copy of the letter, as well as any reply you get. This is really very important.

You can contact Daniel by or send hard copies of correspondence to
50 Friars Street
Sudbury
Suffolk
CO10 2AG