Britain gives rather less aid than the European average. Its current donations of 0.3% of GNP are well below the target 0.7% for industrialized nations. Current policy is to freeze the aid program until 1995 and to cut bilateral aid to countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Aid fell sharply during the 1980s. Three-quarters goes to developing countries; India and Bangladesh are the biggest recipients.
Aid is not a highly politicized issue in the UK. However, the country is home to some prominent NGOs, including Oxfam. The Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) organization sends people to share their skills in developing countries. In 1985, the Live Aid rock concert in London highlighted the plight of Ethiopia's devastating famine.
