Covid turns aid argument upside down

Its new commission, which in Assemblies past could be relied upon to rail against its lack of funding, has taken it upon itself to hand back £830,000, a quarter of its Budget for next year.

Meanwhile, the politician who has tried in vain to hammer committee budgets down for years, wants them to get the money back.

Overseas Aid’s topsy-turvy argument would have even the Mad Hatter scratching his head.

‘Covid-19 pandemic has hit us all hard but the impact has been greatest on those with the least resources to prevent, control or mitigate its effects.

‘This is why, at this time perhaps more than ever in its 40-year history, the work of the commission remains urgently needed.’

So at the very time the commission believes its funds are most needed it is prepared to cut all spending on its large grants programme until at least 2022.

Instead, it will focus on small grants, disaster relief, and skills and community programmes, plus Fairtrade.

The logic is that Guernsey needs to get its own finances secure after the ravages of Covid-19 so that the island is well-placed to provide long-term aid in the future.

‘It is by growing our own economy and building back better that we best ensure we can remain committed to Overseas Aid, and that we can meet the long-term targets set by previous States.’

Given the make-up of Overseas Aid – its commissioners are stalwarts of charity, many with personal experience of overseas projects – it cannot have been an easy decision.

It is publicly acknowledging that its help has never been more desperately needed but is reducing its immediate contribution to international development by a quarter.

And this is an organisation that even in the good years has the funds to back just a third of all applications for help.

Having made such a difficult decision, the commission can be forgiven for wondering which way they want the debate to go.