A new international development funding stream of £2.4m over two years has been launched to help improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.

The money will be used to support projects to empower women and girls, ensure people have access to sustainable energy and protect the environment through sustainable forest management.

In the past year, the Isle of Man has supported a range of projects.

These have included providing clean water to communities in Kenya, opening two new schools in Nepal and providing around £750,000 to the Disaster Emergency Committee to help thousands of people affected by conflict and instability.

Chief Minister Howard Quayle said: ’Our community can be very proud that the Isle of Man is helping to change lives throughout the world.

’This is the first funding stream of its kind to be offered by government and will benefit some of the poorest people in the world.

’I recognise all the good work charities do both here and abroad and I am delighted to offer this fund to make long term sustainable improvements in the least developed countries.’

International Development Partnerships are one of five funding streams administered by the Cabinet Office to distribute the annual international development budget.

All projects funded are required to meet the international development policy objectives agreed by the Council of Ministers.

The other four funding streams are global development and education awareness-raising, disaster and emergency relief, small grants and the Small Countries Financial Management Programme.

The Manx government last year provided funding of £85,609 to charity Excellent Development to build four sand dams in the semi-arid Ukambani region of south east Kenya.

About 66% of households there lack access to safe water, with women and children having to walk up to 12 hours a day to collect water that is often unsafe for human consumption.

Sand dams are reinforced concrete walls built across seasonal river channels that capture water during rainy seasons to provide a year-round supply.

Excellent Development said the project will provide life-changing support for some 5,000 people by supplying clean water and help them grow enough food to feed their families.

Applications for International Development Partnerships funding are being accepted online at www.gov.im. Deadline for applications is April 13.

The International Development budget will be £2.5 million per year from 2018-19 onwards.