Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, if her Department will make additional assistance available to Madagascar for famine relief and support in dealing with drought.

The UK has responded quickly and generously to the El Nino related drought in southern Africa, in fulfilment of our pledge to lead global humanitarian responses and leverage support from others. DFID has provided £4.68million through UN agencies for the humanitarian response to the impact of El Nino in Madagascar and we continue to monitor the situation closely and will consider further support if the situation deteriorates.

Existing UK support includes funding for UNICEF and FAO emergency operations for nutrition, water and sanitation. It also includes agricultural and livestock assistance to vulnerable households to reduce their food insecurity and protect their livelihoods.