The United Kingdom’s minister for Africa, Vicky Ford, who is in Kenya as part of a three-country East Africa visit on Monday announced a new package of support to countries in East Africa affected by extreme drought and flooding.
Almost a million people in South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia will be aided by a £17 million support package from the UK in response to one of the worst droughts in the region for decades and unprecedented flooding.
A press statement said that the package will provide vital assistance to almost a million people in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia who are facing the worst drought in decades, and in South Sudan who are suffering widespread flooding for a third consecutive year.
“Extreme weather events associated with climate change are worsening pre-existing drought and flood cycles and ruining harvests. Poor governance and ongoing conflicts in Somalia, South Sudan, and Ethiopia are exacerbating the impact of these events by displacing vulnerable communities, destroying livelihoods, and limiting access to humanitarian assistance,” the statement read.
Minister Ford said for countries in East Africa, climate change is not a future problem and that it is driving a humanitarian emergency right now.
“Catastrophic droughts and floods, paired with ongoing conflicts and poor governance in Somalia, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, are creating a perfect storm in East Africa which risks pushing hundreds of thousands of people into famine,” Ford said. “The UK’s commitment to supporting our partners in East Africa is unwavering and we know that early action now can prevent mass loss of life.”
She added: “This funding package will provide vital assistance to almost a million people across the region, helping those affected to access clean water and healthy food. The UK is moving quickly to provide support as experience has shown that early, preventative action is vital to avoiding mass loss of life.”
The British Embassy in Juba said the announcement of an additional £3 million funding for flood response means that the UK will be able to work alongside partners such as WFP and IOM to respond to some of these immediate needs, providing what we know works in the form of much-needed water and sanitation in Bentiu as well as food for around 60,000 people.
South Sudan is facing an unprecedented third year of major flooding which has affected over 800,000 people, many of whom remain at risk due to food insecurity or a lack of decent water and sanitation.