The Department for International Development (DFID) is part of the UK Government that manages Britain's aid to poor countries and works to eradicate extreme poverty. More than 1 billion, more than one in six of the world's population, live in extreme poverty. This means that they live on less than $1.25 a day and cannot afford basic healthcare or education for their children. Economic growth creates jobs, raises incomes and is the most powerful tool in lifting people out of poverty. It is estimated that over the last 18 years, growth has lifted 500 million people out of poverty (accounting for 80% of poverty reduction). Yet the current economic slowdown threatens to reduce opportunities for developing countries to grow.
This is why in 2008 DFID set up the International Growth Centre (IGC) to get the world's experts on growth to give practical policy advice to help developing countries to build stronger and faster growing economies. DFID has committed up to £37 million to the IGC. To find out more information about DFID and its work to support stronger economies, visit DFID's website.
UKaid is the logo DFID uses to demonstrate how the UK government's development work is improving the lives of the world's poorest people.