New DFID chief commits to continue fight against world poverty

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Douglas Alexander, who was appointed Britain's new Secretary of State for International Development, has confirmed his commitment to continue the ongoing fight against world poverty, reports BSS.
"Over the last 10 years, the fight to eliminate world poverty has been at the heart of the government's policy. Our commitment to help the poor countries is recognised across the world," Douglas said in a statement in London after acceptance of his new assignment.
"We are keeping our promises on aid, and our budget in this regard has been tripled in the last 10 years, and it will also be increased further. We are making a real difference to the poor people's lives. DFID lifts three million people out of poverty every year", he mentioned.
"There are still challenges ahead", Douglas Alexander said, as seventy-two million children still do not go to school, half a million women die due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth. Conflict and climate change continue to wreak havoc on the lives of the poorest.
"That's why I am delighted to have been appointed as the Secretary of State for International Development. I will continue to press the world's richest nations to live up to the promises they made in 2005, and to work with the developing countries to make poverty history", Douglas said.
Douglas visited Bangladesh on December 21, 2004, when he was the Minister of State of the Foreign and Common-wealth Office, as part of the United Kingdom's ongoing high-level engagement with Bangladesh, aimed at promoting a strong bilateral relationship.
The Department for Interna-tional Development (DFID) is the British ministry responsible for the UK's contribution towards international efforts to eliminate poverty. The UK is one of the largest bilateral donors to Bangladesh.