Apr. 23 2024
Source Page: A9 Dualling Programme and A75 Upgrade: EIR releaseFound: • Droughts and high summer temperatures may pose problems for asphalt surfacing, due to softening,
Apr. 22 2024
Source Page: Net zero carbon strategy: MOJFound: Similarly, we must be able to provide safe, reliable water supplies to our prisons in the event of droughts
Apr. 22 2024
Source Page: Climate change adaptation strategy: MOJFound: Since then, the UK has experienced the two hottest years on record with heatwaves, droughts, wildfires
Report Apr. 19 2024
Committee: Public Accounts CommitteeFound: weather events that are significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern and include droughts
Asked by: Fabian Hamilton (Labour - Leeds North East)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what support his Department is providing to Zimbabwe to help with the drought in that country.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK commends the Government of Zimbabwe for identifying the potential impacts of the El Nino induced drought and are working with humanitarian agencies, the UN and donor nations and the Government of Zimbabwe to understand plans and options for international support if needed. Africa Risk Capacity, a UK-supported African Union-led disaster risk insurance mechanism, has confirmed that several pay outs will be triggered in Zimbabwe as a result of the declaration of a state of emergency. Additionally, the UK-funded START Network programme will shortly release funds for anticipatory actions to support the drought response.
Apr. 18 2024
Source Page: National Drought Group meets after record wet October to MarchFound: The National Drought Group has reconvened to discuss ongoing preparation for future droughts, but confirmed
Found: acute food insecurity, by the World Health Organisation.86 One of the of the longest and most severe droughts
Apr. 16 2024
Source Page: UK Government to tackle global financial corruptionFound: Droughts in the Sahel and Horn of Africa contribute to the rise of the number of hungry on the continent
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the prolonged heatwave and drought on eastern and southern Africa, in particular on children, and what steps they are taking in response.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We closely monitor climatic conditions in Africa - including recent drought conditions in parts of Eastern and Southern Africa, where over 80 million people are experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity. In 2023 the UK was the 4th largest bilateral donor to humanitarian appeals in sub-Saharan Africa. Our programmes in the region are directly tackling food insecurity and poor access to safe water, in order to improve the nutritional and health status of children. The UK is also raising the profile of humanitarian needs with our international partners, maintaining a focus on the need for long-term solutions to climate related crises in the region, including drought.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports from UNICEF that the 2023–24 El Niño phenomenon has led to the closure of schools in South Sudan.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The El Niño phenomenon exacerbates regional climate patterns and extreme weather events. Last month, excessive heat caused the temporary closure of some schools in South Sudan. The UK is one of the largest donors to education in South Sudan: we engage closely with the government, UNICEF, and education partners and will monitor the impact of interruptions to education. Our Humanitarian Assistance and Resilience in South Sudan programme has assisted approximately three million people by providing critical life-saving support and helping people to better cope with shocks from conflict, drought and flooding.