Following the historic EU referendum last month, the Pound sterling plunged in response to the result which is one of many financial crises the country must brace itself for the experts say. One of the challenges faced is by UK charities who stand to lose as much as £217 million every year after Britain decouples itself from the EU. That estimate is based on the amount of funding UK charities received from the EU during 2014. Oxfam UK received the most funding in 2014, receiving £39 million, whist the International Rescue Committee received £23 million.
Staying focused
Whilst many charity groups are probably going to lose a lot of their funding, most have resolved to stay focused on their causes, especially those organisations that are responding to the refugee crisis. For example, in the immediate aftermath of Brexit UNICEF UK said it remained committed to supporting vulnerable refugees.
“Whether it be tackling poverty, or our role in helping vulnerable refugees in Europe and the world; we must not falter in our commitment to helping vulnerable children wherever they may be,” Mike Penrose, executive director said.
World Vision championing the rights of children
For its part, World Vision has said it will do whatever necessary to remain focused on the task at hand given the uncertainty that Brexit is causing. Tim Pilkington, the organisation’s chief executive said there remained many unanswered questions, nevertheless his organisation will continue to partner with the British Government to champion the rights of children and help shape policy which achieve this goal.
MSF already divorced from the EU
Médecins Sans Frontières heaped harsh criticism on the decision, however the organisation has already separated from the EU. The charity which provides medical treatment in conflict zones and areas where no treatment is available recently declared it would no longer accept funding from the EU. That decision was in direct to response to the announcement made by the EU and Turkey which said Turkey would receive financial and political incentives for stopping immigrants from passing through the country. In 2015 MSF received €19 million from various EU institutions and a further €37 million from EU member states.
“Deterrence policies sold to the public as humanitarian solutions have only exacerbated the suffering of people in need. There is nothing remotely humanitarian about these policies. It cannot become the norm and must be challenged. MSF will not receive funding from institutions and governments whose policies do so much harm.” Jerome Oberreit, international secretary general, said in a statement.
