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<p>The UK is a major humanitarian donor to the East Africa region. In 2022 to support
communities affected by drought plus flooding and conflict the UK has provided £72.25
million to Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and South Sudan. Across the region UK funded humanitarian
activities are making a difference and saving lives. For example, in Kenya to respond
to the ongoing drought, 26,000 children will receive life-saving food assistance thanks
to the UK's support. In Ethiopia a further 200,000 children and pregnant and lactating
women in southern and eastern regions will receive similar urgent aid.</p><p>The UK
also played a critical role in convening the recent 'UN Horn of Africa Drought Roundtable'
which took place in late April in Geneva. This included working with states in the
region and the UN to ensure appropriate levels of participation. It helped to bring
much needed focus to the drought and importantly it mobilised roughly US$400 million
in new funding.</p><p>Countries across the Horn of Africa will also be impacted by
Russia's invasion of Ukraine due to the increase in the costs of food commodities
and fuel on global markets. We are exploring how we can help lessen the impact of
rising food prices caused by the war in Ukraine on vulnerable communities in East
Africa. This includes assessing alternate markets for procurement of food supplies
and working with UN partners to promote effective prioritisation so assistance reaches
the most needy.</p><p>Our response to the drought builds on long-established resilience
building programmes in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. In Kenya this includes support
to the Hunger Safety Programme, which has provided 600,000 people in drought prone
areas with regular financial assistance. In Ethiopia, the UK funded Productive Safety
Net Programme has benefitted some 8 million people via financial welfare provision
and community public works projects. In Somalia the UK has been supporting over 220
rural communities in three large urban cities with durable solutions initiatives for
internally displaced persons. These programmes, coupled with additional investments,
have enabled the UK to reach nearly 8 million individuals as a part of its emergency
humanitarian response.</p><p>The UK remains committed to promoting peace and security
across the Horn of Africa.</p>
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