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Written question asked by Marquess of Lothian (Conservative) on Thursday, 17 November 2022, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 December 2022. It was answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Monday, 28 November 2022 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Somalia: Famine

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report Somalia: Famine Review of the IPC Analysis, published on 5 September, which found that "the world has a narrow window of opportunity to act in order to prevent what could otherwise become a full-fledged famine in a few months", what steps they have taken, together with international partners, (1) to increase funding, and (2) to ensure safe access, for humanitarian aid providers in the (a) Baidoa, and (b) Burhakaba, regions of Somalia.

Answer

The UK is playing a leading role in Somalia to build strategic partnerships to channel additional funding for the famine response. On 21 September, the former Minister for Development announced a £22.8 million package of assistance for Somalia to alleviate the impact of drought and address the risk of famine, which included support for both UN and Non-Governmental Organisations delivering food, nutrition, health and water assistance for populations in Baidoa and Burkhaba in South West State. Linked to that announcement, on 21 November, the Minister for Development signed a new match funding arrangement with Saudi Arabia of £1.7 million to deliver emergency food assistance through the World Food Programme.

FCDO officials met South West State officials both bilaterally and together with other international humanitarian donors since the release of the latest famine risk assessment data in September. We continue to raise the importance of safe and principled humanitarian access.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3498
Session
2022-23
Subjects
Finance Humanitarian aid International cooperation Famine Somalia
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk