Reaction to aid cuts to water and polio projects

Responding to reports that the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office plans to cut aid spending on water-related projects and polio eradication by 80 percent and 95 percent respectively, Oxfam GB's Chief Executive Danny Sriskandarajah said:

"This is yet another example of the vital, life-saving work that will stop because of reductions to overseas aid. To cut funding for water, hygiene and sanitation in the midst of a global pandemic is dangerous.

"These eye-watering cuts are bound to result in more illness as vulnerable communities are denied the clean water, safe toilets and handwashing facilities that are crucial to good health and longer term development.

"These cuts are also likely to delay the global eradication of polio when we are so close to achieving this landmark victory against a cruel disease."

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