The UK Development Minister has announced a new package of
support for people affected by the worst drought in decades in
the Horn of Africa.
Speaking at an event on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the
Horn of Africa at the UN General Assembly in New York, Ford
announced £22.8 million to enable the UN and our NGO partners to
continue lifesaving assistance through cash support; access to
water and sanitation services; and the delivery of highly
specialised health and nutrition treatment.
Ford called on the international community to act now to avert
disaster, as concerns rise that a projected famine in Somalia
could be worse than in 2011, when a quarter of a million people
lost their lives.
Minister Ford said:
“The drought in the Horn of Africa is one of the worst
humanitarian crises in the world. Almost half of Somalia’s
population is in dire need of help – with 300,000 people forecast
to be in famine by October if assistance is not provided
immediately.
“The UK is playing a leading role in the international
response to this crisis. We are providing vital life-saving food
security, health, nutrition and water support to half a million
people across Somalia, backed up by the funding announced
today.
“If we are to avoid a repeat of the catastrophic drought
which saw a quarter of million people die in Somalia a decade
ago, the international community must act now.”
This package of support takes the UK’s total humanitarian, health
and nutrition funding for Somalia this financial year up to
£52.8million.
The UK has allocated a total of £156 million in humanitarian
support for crises in East Africa this financial year.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- Earlier this year in April, the UK announced a £25 million
package for humanitarian, health and nutrition programming in
Somalia as well as a further £5m of humanitarian aid as part of a
package for World Humanitarian Day (Friday, August 19).
