U.K. to end bilateral assistance to South Africa by 2015

"The U.K. Department for International Development [DfID] has decided to end its bilateral assistance to South Africa by 2015, raising concerns among several non-governmental organizations," Devex's "The Development Newswire" reports. "DfID has pledged to finish active projects in the country. But by 2015, the United Kingdom's role will solely focus on technical assistance as well as skills and knowledge sharing," the news service notes (Ravelo, 5/1). "Charities have criticized the U.K. after the government announced it would stop direct aid to South Africa in 2015," according to BBC News, which notes, "U.K. aid to South Africa is focused on reducing the mortality rate among women giving birth and supporting businesses." The news service writes, "U.K. ministers said their relationship with South Africa should now be based on trade and not development," adding, "South Africa's government warned that ending the aid program, currently worth £19 million [$29.6 million] a year, would have 'far-reaching implications'" (5/1).