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Jersey's overseas aid budget remains well below the United Nations target, according to the International Development Minister.
During a recent Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel hearing, Deputy Carolyn Labey admitted the island's aid contribution does not meet international standards.
She explained that the relief and development agency Jersey Overseas Aid currently received 0.29% of the island's Gross Value Added.
This figure is significantly lower than the UN's target of 0.7% and the OECD average of 0.36%.
Pictured: Deputy Carolyn Labey is both Minister for International Development and Chair of Jersey Overseas Aid.
Deputy Labey, who is both Minister for International Development and Chair of Jersey Overseas Aid, is responsible for promoting economic and social development in developing countries and humanitarian aid overseas.
Despite falling short of international targets, Deputy Labey said the aid budget had increased slowly over recent years.
She explained that she had negotiated an annual increase of 0.01% per year, and aims to reach 0.3% by 2025.
"We can demonstrate that we are slowly going up, but we've got to bear in mind everything else going on out there," she said.
Concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to Deputy Labey's dual role as both Minister for International Development and Chair of Jersey Overseas Aid were also raised during the hearing.
However, she argued that her ministerial position provides overseas aid with "a voice round the Council of Ministers' table".
Pictured: Despite recent increases, Jersey's aid budget of £20 million (0.27% of GVA in 2022) remains well below both the OECD average and the UN target. (JOA)
The panel also scrutinised JOA's volunteer programme, with Deputy Geoff Southern questioning the efficiency of sending volunteers to countries like Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Nepal,
"Is that the best way of delivering aid to African countries?" he asked.
Deputy Labey responded: "To be brutally honest, no.
"It might be better just to write a check and spend the money that way or add the funding to a sustainable development grant."
But Deputy Labey defended the value of volunteering in public engagement and education.
"It's part of our outreach, part of putting something back into our own community and giving local people opportunities," she said.
"It makes them more fulfilled in the workplace."
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