Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment she has made of humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa following the severe recent droughts.

The UK is deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa. The increasing frequency and severity of droughts across the region is placing millions of people under enormous strain. The UN assesses that ongoing drought will impact 14 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya - many of whom are already facing severe water shortages and worrying levels of food insecurity. In parts of Kenya and Somalia, February harvests may be 70% below average. While 90% of Somalia's districts have been affected, rainfall levels in some is 70% below 40 year averages. Throughout the region, the UN estimates that 5.5 million children will likely experience acute malnutrition, and a further 1.6 million likely to suffer severe acute malnutrition which could have lifelong implications.

On 17 January, I announced a £17 million package of emergency humanitarian assistance to address critical needs in Ethiopia (£5 million), South Sudan (£3 million), Somalia (£8 million) and Kenya (£1 million). This support will address the impact of drought in the Horn of Africa, and flooding in South Sudan. On 6 February, the UK's Special Envoy for Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Affairs announced an additional £5.5 million of support for Somalia.