TheCable

The United Kingdom aid is supporting over 6,000 Commonwealth veterans and widows living in developing countries with two healthy meals a day.

In a statement on Thursday, the Department for International Development (DFID) said the programme is to support the veterans, many of whom served in World War II across 29 countries.

In 2019, DFID provided 12,000 meals to veterans living below the poverty line.

It said many of the Commonwealth veterans are now staying at home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Commonwealth Veterans Programme is a joint partnership between the DFID and the Royal Commonwealth Ex Services League (RCEL) to which the UK government has committed £11.8 million.

The programme has registered staff as essential workers so they can continue to deliver the meals to the veterans in their homes, while observing social distancing.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, international development secretary, said the UK government will always take steps to ensure that the veterans continue to receive support.

“We owe a tremendous amount to our Commonwealth veterans, and it is absolutely right the UK, in the name of the British people, is supporting those who bravely made such sacrifices for our country,” Trevelyan said.

“On this VE Day, I am proud to say we have taken steps to make sure these veterans continue to receive vital support. As the world deals with the coronavirus epidemic, this helping hand is needed now more than ever.”