Susannah Birkwood

Susannah Birkwood

Susannah Birkwood is a Devex contributing reporter focusing on U.K. aid policy and international development. She has reported on foreign aid budgets, peacebuilding, and the politics of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, drawing on more than 16 years of experience across newsrooms and NGO press offices. She has overseen major media campaigns for international NGOs, including WWF, ActionAid, and Plan International, and has advised a wide range of charities and INGOs on media strategy and press outreach.

Latest Articles

UK's aid department defends major staff cuts as MPs fear brain drain

UK's aid department defends major staff cuts as MPs fear brain drain

18 days ago // UK Aid

The department could lose as much as a quarter of its staff in the coming four years, officials said.

Recent NGO collapse prompts anger as Kenya funds sent to UK

Recent NGO collapse prompts anger as Kenya funds sent to UK

about 1 month ago // NGO

New statutory documents show £107,740 was transferred from Development Initiatives’ Nairobi accounts as former staff criticize the handling of the shutdown.

Are UK aid commitments to equality and localization failing in Sudan?

Are UK aid commitments to equality and localization failing in Sudan?

about 1 month ago // UK aid

Can the U.K.’s aid system, built for big international delivery chains, actually deliver on its promises of localization and gender leadership in a place such as Sudan?

Watchdog warns UK aid risks ‘strategic drift’ away from the neediest

Watchdog warns UK aid risks ‘strategic drift’ away from the neediest

about 2 months ago // UK Aid

The Independent Commission for Aid Impact said focus has not stayed on helping the world's poorest people.

Mott MacDonald shuts international development arm amid UK aid turmoil

Mott MacDonald shuts international development arm amid UK aid turmoil

2 months ago // UK aid

The massive U.K. contractor is understood to be winding down its dealings with FCDO.

UK launches new aid inquiry in response to 40% budget cut

UK launches new aid inquiry in response to 40% budget cut

3 months ago // UK aid

Though U.K. aid is at what International Development Committee chair Sarah Champion called “a critical moment,” it's unclear how much influence the inquiry will have on shifts that are already well underway.

Beyond aid cuts, 3 major signs the UK is abandoning development

Beyond aid cuts, 3 major signs the UK is abandoning development

5 months ago // UK Aid

From a lack of advisers to a lack of direction, a look at worrying indicators from the U.K.'s aid department.

Major for-profit contractor says FCDO business not key to its survival

Major for-profit contractor says FCDO business not key to its survival

7 months ago // UK Aid

The CEO of Palladium International said the vast majority of its U.K. work is with FCDO, but that has declined in line with U.K. aid cuts.

UK changes this year’s aid spend again with new estimates

UK changes this year’s aid spend again with new estimates

7 months ago // UK aid

Previously announced cuts have been augmented to allow wiggle room as deeper budget slashes fall in the coming years, said development minister Jenny Chapman.

Experts: UK’s reticence to pledge support for nutrition ‘deeply concerning’

Experts: UK’s reticence to pledge support for nutrition ‘deeply concerning’

7 months ago // UK Aid

The U.K. government said its ongoing spending review process meant it was unable to commit funding at March’s Nutrition for Growth summit in France or to UNICEF’s Child Nutrition Fund.