Why the UK's latest pledge to East Africa is so important

For the last five years, the rains have failed in East Africa. The region’s longest drought in over 40 years, entire communities continue to disband in search of food and water. The carcasses of livestock lay scattered for miles on end, once tended for by owners who now struggle to source basic provisions for themselves. 

The humanitarian crisis enshrouding the Horn, one that has obliterated livelihoods and led to the displacement of millions, continues to deteriorate. Ongoing regional conflict and inflated food prices, driven by the war in Ukraine, have only exacerbated the climate-induced drought. WHO estimates that more than 46 million people are acutely food insecure in the region (IPC 3+ crisis or worse). The situation continues to worsen at such a rapid rate that hunger is expected to kill one person every 28 seconds by July this year. 

In January, CGP took a cross-party delegation of Members of Parliament to Northern Kenya to show them the life-saving importance of UK International Development projects in the region. Meeting with community members to understand the extensive challenges they faced, the MPs saw how UK Aid is providing essential support in Marsabit County through the maintenance of a borehole and generator. In another community, they observed additional boreholes and a programme to strengthen the resilience of communities through income diversification, community gardens and small scale agriculture.

But in order to prevent more avoidable deaths, a drastic step-up in support is desperately required from the international community. Today, the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister for Development and Africa, announced at the UN Horn of Africa pledging conference that the UK will lead efforts and pledge £143 million for East Africa, £96m of which will go to the drought-impacted countries of the Horn. This urgent assistance will enable the UN and NGO partners to continue the delivery of cash support; the delivery of water and sanitation services; and the supply of specialised health and nutrition treatment.

This funding announcement is a vital step in the right direction, but as Minister Mitchell highlighted in his speech, long-term solutions — including building more resilient food systems in the face of rising global temperatures — are the only way to prevent future disasters. We must do everything we can to break this cycle of suffering in the region, and ensure that the imminent threat of widespread famine does not become a reality.