- This year's appeal raised over £40 million, which included £6m of match funding from UK government
- The UK funding will help local communities take control of their own development
- This includes supporting women and girls, early childhood development and adapting to the effects of climate change
The UK has contributed £6 million to funds raised by this year's Red Nose Day appeal, adding to a total of over £40 million raised thanks to the generosity of the British public.
The funding will go towards Comic Relief and FCDO's jointly-funded Shifting the Power programme, as part of a total £60 million multi-year programme that aims to empower people living across Africa to take control of their own development.
With the support of the programme, locally-led civil society organisations in Ghana, Zambia and Malawi will become more effective, sustainable and better able to tackle their communities' most pressing development priorities. These include supporting women and girls, ensuring healthy early childhood development, and adapting to the effects of climate change.
With their understanding of local needs and environment, the people living in these countries are best placed to make decisions that work to drive lasting change.
Minister of State for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell, said:
Another year, another outstanding result. The UK public have once again proved their incredible generosity on Comic Relief's Red Nose Day. I am proud the UK Government is contributing £6 million in match funding.
This support will go directly to organisations in Ghana, Zambia and Malawi, and will be used to act on the issues most important to them and their communities, including supporting women and girls, and managing the impact of climate change.
Samir Patel, CEO, Comic Relief said:
We are thrilled to receive strong support for our international work from the UK Government. The generous £6 million funding will be invested in locally- led organisations in Malawi, Ghana and Zambia who focus on supporting women and girls, the development of young children, increasing mental health support and addressing climate change.
This money will help transform communities and support some of the most vulnerable people in society making a real difference to their lives.
