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International collaboration is key to fight against the pandemic. To that end, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) continues to fund research projects on the effects of COVID-19 in Peru and other countries around the world.
Currently, the UK and Peru are working together on five projects, investigating communities particularly vulnerable to the pandemic, such as the elderly, children, local farmers’ markets and more. These projects funded under this scheme add to the scientific cooperation between the two countries already underway through the Newton-Paulet Fund, in partnership with CONCYTEC, and the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF).
So far, the UK has invested around £29.3 million in more than 50 projects on COVID-19 in developing countries, reaffirming its commitment to support science and technology applied to solutions to social issues.
On the announcement of projects’ funding, UK Ambassador Kate Harrisson said:
I am delighted that Peru and the UK are collaborating on projects in response to COVID19. These projects will have a direct positive impact on the lives of thousands of Peruvians.
They will shed new light on the effects of the pandemic on food markets, fish workers, mental health in senior adults or nutrition in mothers and young children, and thus help improve their wellbeing.
The pandemic requires a coordinated and global response, and the cooperation of both countries is a sign of our commitment in this regard and our excellent bilateral relationship.
Most of the funded research focuses on the communities most affected by COVID-19 in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia, and, they are carried out collaboratively between UK and local experts and institutions. The purpose and importance of these projects is to develop short and long-term social, economic and health solutions, areas that have been severely affected by the pandemic. Finally, these projects seek to improve the response capacity of developing countries to future pandemics.
Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of older Peruvian adults.
Promoting health and safety in traditional food markets to combat COVID-19 in Peru and Bolivia
Enhancing the resilience of fishing communities to the impacts of COVID-19 in Northern Peru
Press release
Ms Susannah Goshko has been appointed British High Commissioner to Canada.
Ms Susannah Goshko has been appointed British High Commissioner to Canada in succession to Mrs Susan le Jeune d’Allegeershecque CMG. Ms Goshko will take up her appointment during August 2021.
Full name: Susannah Goshko
Married to: Matt Goshko
Children: Two
| Date | Role |
| 2019 to 2021 | FCDO, Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary |
| 2018 to 2019 | FCO, Head of Intelligence Policy Department |
| 2017 to 2018 | Department for Exiting the European Union, Deputy Director |
| 2013 to 2017 | Washington, Head of Political Team, then Political Counsellor |
| 2010 to 2013 | Nairobi, First Secretary – Economic and also Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN Habitat |
| 2007 to 2009 | FCO, Head of Pursue Team, Counter-Terrorism Department |
| 2006 to 2007 | FCO, Head of Rule of Law and Europe Team, Human Rights Department |
| 2004 to 2006 | Washington, Private Secretary to Her Majesty’s Ambassador |
| 2001 to 2004 | Havana, Second Secretary – Political |
| 2000 to 2001 | FCO, Desk Officer for Central Africa, Africa Department |
You can follow Ms Goshko on Twitter at @SusannahGoshko
Published 25 January 2021
The UK welcomes Myanmar’s efforts to address human rights issues, such as ratifying the ICESCR. However, we remain concerned by limited progress regarding conflict in Chin, Kachin, Rakhine, and Shan states. Civilians bear the brunt of conflict, perpetrators of abuses are not held to account, and full humanitarian access is denied to many regions.
Recent elections were a welcome milestone towards democracy. But it is troubling that the Rohingya and those in conflict areas were disenfranchised.
We recommend Myanmar:
Implement the recommendations of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine.
Amend the 1982 Citizenship Law and ensure the protection of the human and civil rights of the Rohingya and other disenfranchised groups as citizens of Myanmar.
Ratify the 2014 ILO Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention.
Thank you.
Published 25 January 2021
Press release
Advanced X-ray body scanners have stopped over 1,376 illegal items, including drugs, weapons and phones, getting into prisons, just 4 months after being installed.
The innovative equipment being rolled out across England and Wales is part of the government’s bold £100 million package to boost security in prisons and crack down on crime behind bars.
The 28 scanners, developed specifically for the Prison Service, allow staff to see instantly whether prisoners are smuggling in illegal contraband items internally, and have picked up Spice, morphine tablets, mobile phones, SIM cards, phone chargers and tobacco. The illegal items would have been destined for the prison wings, fuelling the illicit economy and potential violence.
Prisons and Probation Minister, Lucy Frazer QC MP said:
Stopping the flow of illegal items into jails is a huge priority for us.
The scanners form part of our wider plan to step up security in prisons to cut crime and better protect the public.
HMP Hindley Governor, Natalie McKee, said:
We are confident this equipment will prove to be a successful deterrent to anyone wanting to smuggle illegal items into our establishment.
The X-ray body scanner supports our aim to provide a safe environment for our prison officers and the men in our prisons.
The cutting-edge technology is being installed at jails with high numbers of remand prisoners – posing the greatest risk of smuggling.
A further 24 scanners are due to be installed in prisons by March 2021.
The equipment is being funded by the government’s £2.75 billion commitment to transform the prison estate. This includes:
Published 25 January 2021