Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the statement made by the UN Secretary-General concerning the famines in South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen, and to his warning that hunger and famine threaten the lives of people in those countries.

We are deeply concerned by the UN Secretary General’s statement warning that there is a credible risk of four famines in 2017: South Sudan (where famine has already been declared), Nigeria, Yemen and Somalia. The UK was the first major donor to raise the alarm bell and respond. We have issued an urgent call to action to the international community to step up their response; provided lifesaving treatment for acute malnutrition, food, water and emergency healthcare; and are working closely with other donors and partners to ensure a more efficient and effective response to the crises.