The soft power of international relationships built through aid should not be underestimated

EMMS International welcomes the call from charities across the UK urging the government not to invest in the false economy of cutting aid to fund defence.

Ramesh receives quality care at home, easing isolation and restoring hope.

The call highlights the importance of many aspects of development cooperation for global security including peacekeeping, pandemic and disease prevention, famine prevention and weapons decommissioning.

We also cannot underestimate the importance of international aid and the relationships that flow through it for strengthening trust and security between countries.

EMMS International CEO, Cathy Ratcliff says: "We need to see aid as a positive soft power, which creates partnerships and strengthens positive international relationships. A lot of aid supports the marginalised whose plight would never destabilise a country, but when their lives are improved as a consequence of aid, their country becomes fairer and happier, its economy and social services improve, and its people appreciate the support of the donor country."

Speaking of work that EMMS has directly been involved with Cathy reflects: "For example, when I think of the palliative care families sinking quietly into greater poverty and despair without access to home-based care. Through our partnerships, we have been able help them, support the development of community bonds with the family, improve health workers' skills, and enable more compassionate healthcare to flourish."

The Sunita Project is an example of this. Read more about Ramesh's journey from isolation to support here.