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

Ousted Oxfam CEO lambastes charity for 'brutal' dismissal

Ousted Oxfam CEO lambastes charity for 'brutal' dismissal

about 10 hours ago // Transparency and Accountability

Halima Begum has now offered more details on her own account of the ongoing governance crisis at Oxfam GB.

UK aid agency should pause reforms, says parliamentary committee

UK aid agency should pause reforms, says parliamentary committee

11 days ago // UK Aid

Fearing a brain drain, parliamentarians called to pause in-progress reforms to U.K. aid.

Decolonization language risks alienating the public, UK MPs warned

Decolonization language risks alienating the public, UK MPs warned

14 days ago // UK Aid

A parliamentary hearing saw frank discussion of the aid sector's communication challenges.

Ministerial rhetoric sparks fears over UK aid watchdog

Ministerial rhetoric sparks fears over UK aid watchdog

18 days ago // UK Aid

ICAI appears to have become a focal point in a wider debate about aid spending priorities as ministers grapple with shrinking budgets.

UK aid allocations delayed; new numbers promised 'as soon as possible'

UK aid allocations delayed; new numbers promised 'as soon as possible'

21 days ago // UK Aid

U.K. aid minister Jenny Chapman also called the future of the country's independent aid watchdog into question.

‘Civil war’ within Oxfam GB as CEO exit triggers board review

‘Civil war’ within Oxfam GB as CEO exit triggers board review

about 1 month ago // UK Aid

The prominent NGO saw CEO Halima Begum depart, but now the board is under review, and some staff are skeptical.

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

2 months 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

3 months 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?

3 months 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

3 months ago // UK Aid

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