Mary’s Meals statement on UK government aid cuts

Mary’s Meals currently reaches more than three million children with daily school meals in some of the world’s poorest communities, giving hungry children an opportunity to gain an education that can be their ladder out of poverty. 

Marie Doyle, Executive Director of Mary’s Meals UK said: “The latest news of the UK government’s cuts to overseas aid will be devastating for millions of people. In the communities where Mary’s Meals works, many families are living in extreme poverty, often with no means to put a meal on the table today. 

“We currently provide a daily school meal for more than 1.3 million children in Malawi alone, as well as school feeding programmes in Zambia, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Kenya; all of which are set to have their UK aid funding reduced dramatically. We are truly shocked and saddened that the plight of so many people is set to worsen, due to UK aid cuts."

Marie continues: “These cuts are happening at a terrible moment, when the world’s poorest communities are already suffering disproportionately as a result of conflict and climate change. In Southern Africa, where many of these huge cuts are to take place, more than 21 million children are currently malnourished. 

“We firmly believe that there is enough food in the world for everyone. There remains no good reason why any child should suffer hunger and malnutrition in this world of plenty. Even when times are as tough as they are now, we believe we should come together to help those in need.

“As an organisation, Mary’s Meals will continue to work in areas that need us most; we will not flinch from the challenges we face because we are called, not only to provide a daily school meal for the three million children who rely on us, but for the millions of children still waiting. Each of us has the power to make the world a better place, especially when we consider it costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a whole school year.”  

In the past, Mary’s Meals has received UK government funding, which has allowed us to work alongside communities in feeding hundreds of thousands of hungry children in Liberia, Zambia and Malawi. Currently, Mary’s Meals receives no funding from the UK or any other government. Rather we are supported by a global, grassroots movement of generous supporters, including many thousands of individuals, foundations, and corporate donors who share our vision, that those who have more than they need should share with those who lack even the most basic things.

While recently announced aid budget reductions will not impact our funding directly, they will undoubtedly have a devastating impact on the communities we serve.

Your support can help us continue providing life-changing school meals to hungry children and reach the millions still waiting. Please donate today.