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Select Committee · International Development Committee

The FCDO's approach to displaced people

Status: Closed Opened: 9 Dec 2024 Closed: 17 Sep 2025 11 recommendations 12 conclusions 1 report

2024 saw a continuing rise in global displacement, with at least 117.3 million people forced to flee their homes, including nearly 43.4 million refugees, around 40% of whom are under the age of 18. These vast movements of peoples, and the associated costs and disruptions, can cause significant problems in host countries. Building on the …

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
6th report - The FCDO's Approach to Displaced People HC 525 17 Sep 2025 23 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

3 items
2 Conclusion 6th report - The FCDO's Approach to Dis… Acknowledged

ODA share for poverty reduction programming has declined in recent years.

Programming to reduce poverty, which drives displacement and exacerbates other drivers, has received a declining share of ODA in recent years. (Conclusion, Paragraph 29)

Government response. The government states it is actively engaging internationally to strengthen the response to forced displacement and continues humanitarian interventions, prioritising development, but does not specifically address the observed declining share of ODA for poverty reduction.
6 Conclusion 6th report - The FCDO's Approach to Dis… Acknowledged

Government strategy for influencing multilateral institutions is a welcome engagement effort.

The Government appears to have devised a strategy for influencing multilateral institutions, most notably the World Bank. This is a welcome effort to reinvigorate UK engagement at the multilateral level, given the significant cuts to other parts of the UK ODA budget. (Conclusion, Paragraph 56) 34

Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of influencing multilateral institutions, confirming its strategy to prioritise multilateral partners in the ODA budget and continue driving reform to maximise impact and effectiveness, particularly with the World Bank.
16 Conclusion 6th report - The FCDO's Approach to Dis… Acknowledged

British International Investment demonstrates strong track record investing in fragile states, mitigating displacement drivers.

The private sector can play a pivotal role in stimulating the economies of fragile and conflict-affected states. British International Investment has a strong track record of investing in difficult environments, particularly within fragile and conflict-affected states, helping to mitigate the drivers of displacement. (Conclusion, Paragraph 87)

Government response. The government recognises the importance of strengthening the private sector in fragile and conflict-affected states and welcomes the committee's recognition of British International Investment's strong track record in these contexts, affirming its role in mitigating displacement drivers.

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
3 Jun 2025 Matthew Wyatt · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Melinda Bohannon · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, The Rt Hon. the Baroness Chapman of Darlington · Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office View ↗
29 Apr 2025 Achim Steiner · United Nations Development Programme, Arafat Jamal · UNHCR, Colin Buckley · British International Investment, Mónica Ferro · UNFPA View ↗
1 Apr 2025 Bethan Lewis · Plan International UK, Daphne Jayasinghe · International Rescue Committee, Dr Jessica Hagen-Zanker · ODI Global, Gideon Rabinowitz · Bond, Hélène Kuperman-Le-Bihan · Mines Advisory Group, Louis Hoffmann · International Organization for Migration View ↗
4 Mar 2025 Belinda, Fatimah, Katy Nembe Katonda · CAFOD, Tinebeb Berhane · ActionAid Ethiopia, Zohal View ↗