Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Monday, 17 April 2023, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 April 2023. It was answered by Andrew Mitchell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 25 April 2023 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

East Africa: Droughts

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help tackle possible (a) drought and (b) hunger resulting from drought in East Africa.

Answer: The UK is committed to addressing the grave and deteriorating food security situation across East Africa. Due to the combined effects of climate change and conflict almost 72 million people will need life-saving humanitarian aid in the region this year. In financial year 2022/2023 the UK met its £156 million commitment to provide relief aid throughout East Africa. The UK is working to raise the profile of the crisis with our international partners and to ensure an appropriate focus on the need for long-term solutions to the region's recurrent crises including drought.

Secondary information