THE SNP has said "Scotland stands ready to play its full part" in global efforts to vaccinate the world's poorest and most vulnerable from Covid-19 - pledging to increase its aid budget by £5 million to support the recovery in Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda and Pakistan.
Jenny Gilruth pledged, if re-elected on May 6, the SNP government will increase its International Development Fund to £15m, and commit to further increases in line with inflation. Part of this fund will be used to help with covid preparedness, the vaccine rollout, and aid recovery from the pandemic in Scotland's partner countries.
The SNP Minister for International Development urged Boris Johnson to reverse the Tory government's "shameful" cuts to the UK's international aid budget and commit new funding to a worldwide vaccination programme - warning unless the world acts "many thousands will die from this disease unnecessarily as it spreads and mutates out of control".
Gilruth said: "As Scotland's vaccine roll-out powers ahead, and lockdown restrictions ease, it is vital that we don't lose sight of the continued global threat of the covid pandemic.
"Scotland stands ready to play its full part in global efforts to vaccinate the world's poorest and most vulnerable. It is clear that covid-19 will remain a threat for some time to come, and we must therefore step up our international contribution.
"If re-elected, the SNP government will increase the International Development Fund by 50%, from £10m to £15m, and commit to further increases in line with inflation. This will help with covid preparedness, the vaccine rollout, and aid recovery from the pandemic in our partner countries.
"Boris Johnson must step up to the plate by reversing the shameful Tory cuts to the UK's international aid budget and committing additional funds to a worldwide vaccination programme.
"Not only is it the right thing to do but it is also the only sensible course of action to benefit people all over the world. If we fail to act, many thousands will die from this disease unnecessarily as it spreads and mutates out of control - impacting us all.
"By casting both votes SNP on 6th May, Scotland can re-elect Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister to provide the serious leadership needed to tackle covid in Scotland, and play our full part around the world, so we can build the strong, fair and green recovery we all want to see."
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