Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the projection in the WFP–FAO Hunger Hotspots report, published on 31 October, that the La Niña weather phenomenon is expected to exacerbate acute hunger in many regions; and what assistance they are providing to the countries and territories most affected.

The UK is closely monitoring the potential development of La Niña conditions and in particular the risk of food security impacts in the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa.

The UK is a committed humanitarian donor, channelling over £277 million in Humanitarian Aid to the Africa region in 2023 and is already operating humanitarian programmes in those countries of concern highlighted in the Hunger Hotspots report. Those programmes are standing-by to adapt as required. On 17 November the Foreign Secretary announced a major aid increase of £113 million for people in Sudan and neighbouring countries.