Written question asked by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 28 March 2017, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 March 2017. It was answered by Lord Wharton of Yarm (Conservative) on Friday, 31 March 2017 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

East Africa: Food Aid

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps the Government plans to take with its international partners to increase the level of food available to Somalia and South Sudan.

Answer: The UK is leading on the international response to the food crises in Somalia and South Sudan. DFID quickly responded to the crises, announcing £100m of life-saving emergency assistance for South Sudan and £110m for Somalia. UK food assistance will directly reach 1.5 million people across the two countries. The UK Government has also provided £10m in aid-match funding to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s East Africa Crisis Appeal to encourage the public to donate. By matching public donations pound for pound, the Government is boosting the difference Britons can make. We are lobbying the international community to step up financial support, pressing for political solutions to the conflicts that are driving the crises, and helping to negotiate safe access so that urgent aid, including food, can reach those in need.

Secondary information