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<p>I recognise both the important place that religious belief has for many people
around the world affected by COVID-19 and the role that faith-based actors are playing
in the response, particularly in communicating public health messages. Faith-based
actors are key policy and delivery partners for DFID. We are committed to working
with and alongside faith-based actors to meet the challenges posed to both the UK
and internationally by COVID-19.</p><p>DFID is taking forward a structured approach
to engagement with UK and international civil society, including faith-based actors.
This is incorporating strategic and technical discussions to help inform the sector’s
response to the pandemic. Specifically, Baroness Sugg has chaired two round table
discussions with the Chief Executive Officers from key civil society organisations
including faith-based organisations on 3 April and the 1 May to update the sector
on DFID’s COVID-19 response to date, engage with concerns across the sector, and explore
how to mitigate the threats posed by COVID-19 to sector resilience. Lord Ahmad is
also planning to host a round table with faith leaders and faith-based development
organisations to discuss how we can work together more effectively.</p><p>DFID has
pledged new funding for civil society organisations including faith-based organisations
to support the response. This includes £20 million through the Rapid Response Facility
which includes funding for Christian Aid; up to £30 million of new grants through
the next round of the UK Aid Direct programme, and significant funding through the
DFID Unilever COVID-19 Hygiene and Behaviour Change Coalition. Faith-based organisations
can receive funding through multilateral organisations as downstream partners as part
of the UK’s response and through our country office network. We have been reviewing
our programme portfolio in light of the COVID-19 response, enabling us to identify
existing activities which can already support the response and others which can be
adapted or scaled up, such as our support to health systems and humanitarian crises.</p>
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