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As the humanitarian crisis in Somalia continues to worsen, it is projected that approximately 300,000 people will be in famine by the end of the year as well as 1.8 million children at risk of malnutrition.
In his first overseas visit since his appointment as the UK’s Minister for Development, Tutu Foundation UK Ambassador, Andrew Mitchell has announced new support for Somalia on his visit there. The aid includes funding to tackle drought, food insecurity, gender-based violence, and boost climate resilience.
Andrew Mitchell said:
“Somalia faces one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with millions of people in desperate need of aid, including over half a million children under 5 years old who are at risk of death. I visited Somalia in 2011 at the height of famine and I was appalled by the loss of life. The UK is committed to providing urgent support to the most vulnerable who are in the most desperate need. But we cannot act alone. The international community needs to do all it can to stop famine, and also to help the country be better prepared for such disasters in the future.”
The UK has deepened its relationship with Saudi Arabia to meet urgent humanitarian need. Due to this partnership, Saudi Arabia has mashed the UK’s £1.7 million humanitarian food package, which will boost funding for the World Food Programme.
The UK is also expanding this work with international partners and organisations such as Germany and the World bank to put in place new and innovative disaster risk finance and insurance arrangements to respond to future agricultural and drought problems.
The full package of support for Somalia’s crisis takes the UK’s total humanitarian, health and nutrition funding for Somalia this financial year to nearly £61.2 million. The UK has committed to spending a total of £156 million in humanitarian support for crises in East Africa this financial year.