Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of levels of hunger in east Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Across East Africa conflict, climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic are placing communities under huge pressure. More than 68 million people in the region now require life-saving aid of whom 51 million people face severe food insecurity. Needs are most pressing in Somalia, Ethiopia and South Sudan. The UK is playing a lead in responding. UK funding of £156 million will help to provide millions of people with essential services and supplies including food, nutritional support, clean water and healthcare. We are also working with the UN and the World Bank to ensure appropriate responses from the multilateral system.