The UK aid response to COVID-19
In progressLast updated: 5 May 2021
This review examines the prioritisation and redirection of UK aid in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Reviews
International climate finance: UK aid for halting deforestation and preventing irreversible biodiversity loss
In progressLast updated: 8 December 2020
A forthcoming review examining the effectiveness of UK aid in halting deforestation and preventing biodiversity loss.Management of the 0.7% ODA spending target in 2020
In progressLast updated: 4 March 2021
A rapid review looking at how the government managed the official development assistance (ODA) spending target during 2020 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.Tackling fraud in UK aid
Completed: 8 April 2021
The government’s approach to managing fraud in the aid programme is broadly relevant and effective – but more can be done to find fraud cases by improving oversight and intelligence sharing across aid-spending departments, and streamlining and enhancing whistleblowing systems.UK aid’s approach to youth employment in the Middle East and North Africa
In progressLast updated: 20 October 2020
A forthcoming review assessing the relevance and effectiveness of UK aid programmes in promoting employment opportunities for young people across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).The UK’s aid engagement with China
Completed: 28 April 2021
An information note providing a factual account of how UK aid has been spent by government departments supporting China’s own development, partnering with China on global development challenges, and working with third countries on their engagement with China.UK aid spending during COVID-19: management of procurement through suppliers
Completed: 4 December 2020
Aid-spending government departments worked flexibly with suppliers to minimise the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their work, but lack of transparency about the government’s new aid priorities hampered delivery, and the long-term impact of the cuts to the UK aid programme remains to be seen.Management of the 0.7% ODA spending target
Completed: 24 November 2020
The government’s approach to managing its aid-spending target has become increasingly effective and well-coordinated across government – but making the process more flexible in future could reduce the “significant” impact of major economic shocks.The UK’s approach to tackling modern slavery through the aid programme
Completed: 14 October 2020
The UK’s work to tackle modern slavery in developing countries has had limited long-term impact, did not build on existing international efforts and experience, and failed to adequately involve survivors – though the government played a prominent role in raising the profile of the issue globally.Sexual exploitation and abuse by international peacekeepers
Completed: 30 September 2020
The UK’s “leading” work to tackle the widespread problem of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by international peacekeepers is relevant and important, but could be strengthened with more focus on survivors and a stronger approach to learning.Assessing DFID’s results in nutrition
Completed: 16 September 2020
The government has beaten its goal of reaching people in some of the world’s poorest countries with nutrition services – but with malnutrition set to rise as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it should do more to help the most vulnerable.The UK’s support to the African Development Bank Group
Completed: 31 July 2020
The UK’s work with Africa’s leading development institution is good value for money, allowing the UK taxpayer to influence development across Africa, but more could be done to strengthen strategic engagement between the UK and the Bank, and cooperation on the ground.