Famine in Africa: Government says “Countries across the Horn of Africa will be impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine due to the increase in the costs of food commodities and fuel on global markets….We are exploring how we can help lessen the impact of rising food prices caused by the war in Ukraine on vulnerable communities in East Africa. This includes assessing alternate markets for procurement of food supplies and working with UN partners to promote effective prioritisation so assistance reaches the neediest.”

May 24, 2022 | News

The Lord Alton of Liverpool
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the rising global food prices caused by the war in Ukraine do not exacerbate food insecurity in the East and Horn of Africa. HL8

The Rt Hon The Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
The UK is a major humanitarian donor to the East Africa region. In 2022 to support communities affected by drought plus flooding and conflict the UK has provided £72.25 million to Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan. Across the region UK funded humanitarian activities are making a difference and saving lives. For example, in Kenya to respond to the ongoing drought, 26,000 children will receive life-saving food assistance thanks to the UK’s support. In Ethiopia a further 200,000 children and pregnant and lactating women in southern and eastern regions will receive similar urgent aid.
The UK also played a critical role in convening the recent ‘UN Horn of Africa Drought Roundtable’ which took place in late April in Geneva. This included working with states in the region and the UN to ensure appropriate levels of participation. It helped to bring much needed focus to the drought and importantly it mobilised roughly US$400 million in new funding.
Countries across the Horn of Africa will also be impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine due to the increase in the costs of food commodities and fuel on global markets. We are exploring how we can help lessen the impact of rising food prices caused by the war in Ukraine on vulnerable communities in East Africa. This includes assessing alternate markets for procurement of food supplies and working with UN partners to promote effective prioritisation so assistance reaches the neediest.
Our response to the drought builds on long-established resilience building programmes in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. In Kenya this includes support to the Hunger Safety Programme, which has provided 600,000 people in drought prone areas with regular financial assistance. In Ethiopia, the UK funded Productive Safety Net Programme has benefitted some 8 million people via financial welfare provision and community public works projects. In Somalia the UK has been supporting over 220 rural communities in three large urban cities with durable solutions initiatives for internally displaced persons. These programmes, coupled with additional investments, have enabled the UK to reach nearly 8 million individuals as a part of its emergency humanitarian response.
The UK remains committed to promoting peace and security across the Horn of Africa.
THE RT HON THE LORD GOLDSMITH OF RICHMOND PARK

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