East Africa: Food Security

International Development – in the House of Commons at on 29 April 2020.

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Photo of Laurence Robertson Laurence Robertson Conservative, Tewkesbury

What recent assessment she has made of the food security situation in east Africa.

Photo of Anne-Marie Trevelyan Anne-Marie Trevelyan The Secretary of State for International Development

The devastating locust outbreak in east Africa has paralysed communities that are already facing the daily threat of starvation. With British expertise and funding, we are supporting the international effort to track, stop and kill dangerous swarms of locusts. With rising temperatures driving the infestations, Britain is stepping up to help vulnerable communities to prepare for and adapt to the catastrophic impact of climate change.

Photo of Laurence Robertson Laurence Robertson Conservative, Tewkesbury

As the Secretary of State says, millions of people in east Africa already live with food insecurity, and poor seasonal rains recently have been followed by the locust infestation. Can the Secretary of State use the DFID budget to provide urgent food aid of nutritional quality to people who, through no fault of their own, face the most basic problem?

Photo of Anne-Marie Trevelyan Anne-Marie Trevelyan The Secretary of State for International Development

DFID programmes are supporting enhanced regional trade and access to nutritional food in east Africa. In Ethiopia, the UK is supporting the productive safety net programme to provide food and cash to 8 million of the poorest people, and the UK’s recent £12 million contribution to UNICEF will provide malnourished children with nutritious food. We continue to work with Governments in the region to ensure that essential supplies reach those in need.