DFID

Department for International Development

The Department for International Development (DFID) is the British government department responsible for promoting development and the reduction of poverty. The government elected in May 1997 increased its commitment to development by strengthening the department (formerly the Overseas Development Administration) and increasing its budget.
The policy of the government was set out in the White Paper on International Development published in November 1997. Its central focus is a commitment to an internationally agreed target to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty by 2015. In addition, associated targets include ensuring basic health care provision and universal access to primary education by the same date.

DFID aims to work in partnership with other governments committed to these targets, and with business and the private sector, civil society and the research community, supporting progress to reduce world poverty. It also works with multilateral institutions, including the World Bank, UN agencies and the European Commission.

The bulk of DFID's assistance is concentrated on the poorest countries in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, DFID contributes to eliminating poverty and supporting sustainable development in middle-income countries, as well as helping countries in Central and Eastern Europe ('transition countries') to try to ensure that the largest number of people benefit from the process of change.

Alongside headquarters in London and East Kilbride, DFID has offices in New Delhi, Bangkok, Nairobi, Harare, Pretoria, Dhaka, Suva, Bridgetown and Kathmandu. In other parts of the world, DFID works through staff based in British embassies and high commissions.