The UK has committed to help the new government of Somalia to tackle the threat of international terrorism, crime and piracy by helping it to manage its public finances, cope with future famines and create a more peaceful and secure future.

The UK, alongside other donors, committed international support for Somalia’s new federal government at today’s Somalia conference. The commitments made at today’s conference will improve lives in Somalia and protect the UK’s national interest.

CDC Group plc (CDC), the UK’s development finance institution, has announced that the total number of businesses worldwide being supported by its capital rose from 1,126 in 2011 to 1,250 in 2012. The total jobs provided by these businesses rose from 976,000 to over 1,109,000, an increase of 14%.

This is the first time in CDC’s history that its capital has supported businesses providing over one million direct jobs. In 2012, CDC also invested £397m in businesses, an increase of £33m over 2011. 43% of those investments (totalling £171m) were invested in Africa.

Foreign Secretary meets delegation from Syrian National Coalition and Interim Government to discuss Syrian crisis and UK response.

Published: 27 March 2013
Policies: Improving the health of poor people in developing countries+ 1 other
Minister: The Rt Hon William Hague MP
World location: Democratic Republic of Congo

Six million people in DRC to get essential healthcare under British programme which will improve lives and help create sustainable peace.

British Army engineers are involved in a pioneering drilling project to bring clean water to thousands of people in Sierra Leone.

As a result of this project, fresh water will be delivered to more than 6,500 people where it is scarce and the threat of illnesses like cholera is high as people are forced to use water in contaminated rivers and puddles for drinking and cleaning.

Lord Ashdown published his Humanitarian Emergency Response Review in March 2011, and the Government responded in June of that year. The Government response made two key science policy commitments: to improve the use of science in predicting and preparing for disasters, and to work with others to find new ways of acting quickly in ”slow onset” disasters to stop them becoming major emergencies.

Minister for South East Asia, Hugo Swire spoke to Human Rights and Burma campaigners at the FCO today about the progress being made in Burma.

Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire said:

Organisations: Foreign & Commonwealth Office

Published:21 February 2013

Policy:Working for peace and long-term stability in the Middle East and North Africa

Minister:The Rt Hon William Hague MP

World locations:Lebanon and Syria

Foreign Secretary announces $17m in aid to support Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon, bringing UK total to $30m.

Speaking at the World Food Programme distribution centre in Bourj Hammoud, Beirut, today, the Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

The United Kingdom today announced its support to Fiji and Samoa following the devastation caused by Cyclone Evan.

When announcing the financial assistance, Minister of State for the Pacific, Hugo Swire MP, made the following statement: