An open letter to the Prime Minister, Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP.
Dear Sirs,
We the undersigned are committed donors and supporters of War Child UK. Many of us specifically supported their Torn from Home UK Aid Match appeal, whether that be by taking part in Peace Band, donating items and experiences for War Child’s Winter Shop, lending personal support, or contributing to a private virtual event in support of the appeal. We were motivated by the commendable commitment from the UK Government to match this money raised £ for £.
We’ve been deeply saddened by the recent UK Government decision to delay committed Aid Match funds from July 2021 until April 2022. We fundraised, ran, walked, gave, networked, spoke out and supported with passion and commitment the efforts to reach the £500,000 target that War Child UK set itself in order to secure a matched commitment from the FCDO for children and their families in Afghanistan.
UK Aid Match has provided a beacon of hope for so many, providing support in some of the world’s most challenging environments. But with this decision, devastatingly a promise has been broken - a time sensitive project in Afghanistan, bringing lifesaving support, is now delayed, and this is life-shatteringly unfair to those who rely on projects such as those War Child provides.
Anyone with children in their life will appreciate that overarching drive to keep them safe. But for families in Afghanistan sometimes the only heart-breaking choice is whether to feed your family or send your child to school. Children are forced to leave home and find work, often in hazardous conditions, in order to keep their families alive. But the impact of opening centres, where children can learn vocational skills, and complete their education in Afghanistan can make the difference between a child being separated from their family, from experiencing violent abuse, and from being exploited, alone and separated from their families. It’s a simple solution – and by delaying funding for these children we are unable to be that beacon of hope they so urgently need.
People donated money to this cause in the middle of a global pandemic because they were inspired to give when they knew their gift would be doubled. By delaying funding for these children, it’s failing the children who urgently need our help abroad, and it's betraying the generosity of the public at home.
We implore you to please reverse this decision on UK Aid Match funding, to ensure that vulnerable children in need of our help and who we have all collectively committed to helping, get the care and protection that they deserve. It would be terrible for the UK Government to have a role to play in eroding public trust in charitable giving. The decision to match money raised, £ for £, is an inspiring charitable initiative from the FCDO, and is a vital lifeline in the humanitarian sector. We are simply asking you to keep your word. Thank you.
Kind regards,
Carey Mulligan, War Child Global Ambassador
Marcus Mumford, War Child Global Ambassador
Vanessa Kirby, War Child Global Ambassador
Gillian Anderson, War Child Supporter
Rinsola Babajide, War Child Supporter
Victoria Belfrage, War Child Supporter
Guy Gibson, War Child Supporter
Toby Glaysher, War Child Supporter
Anthony and Tina Hene, War Child Supporters
Jude Law, War Child Supporter
Ray and Julia Longbottom, War Child Supporters
Simon Moran, War Child Supporter
Jesse Quin, War Child Supporter
Margot Robbie, War Child Supporter
Jo Saville, War Child Supporter
Ross Stirling, War Child Peace Band Campaigner
Mark Strong, War Child Supporter
Jodie Whittaker, War Child Supporter
