According to a press release issued by the UK government, The UK is providing aid to Somalia in response to its growing risk of famine – as climate change threatens to make such crises more frequent. Andrew Mitchell, the UK Minister for Development, announced the new support on a visit to Somalia – his first overseas visit since his appointment.
The Press release said the fund will prioritize drought, food insecurity, gender-based violence and boost climate resilience, reaching over 480,000 of the country’s most vulnerable people. The report added, New funding will also help Somali troops in their fight against al-Shabaab.
The humanitarian crisis in Somalia continues to worsen, with 300,000 people projected to be in famine by the end of the year and 1.8 million children at risk of malnutrition. There have been 5 successive failed rainy seasons and there are concerns for the upcoming March to May season. More than 68 million people in need of life-saving aid across the wider East Africa region.
