The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP

Chancellor of the Exchequer

13 March 2023

Dear Chancellor, 

I am writing to ask that you increase funding for the humanitarian response to the hunger crisis in East Africa as a special emergency measure. The region is facing its worst drought in more than 40 years. Following a fifth consecutive failed rainy season for the region, millions of people across parts of East Africa are experiencing hunger due to a deadly combination of climate change, conflict, and a global cost-of-living crisis. Nearly one million people are on the brink of famine. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by food insecurity and the extreme situation is exacerbating gender-based violence. It is now estimated that one person is likely to die from hunger and malnutrition every 36 seconds across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. 

Successive cuts to the UK aid budget have hindered the UK’s ability to adequately respond. Despite the forewarnings, the UK has stepped back whilst the severity of this crisis has deepened. In 2022, the Government announced £156 million of humanitarian funding for the 2022/2023 financial year. At a time when record numbers of people are facing chronic food insecurity, the UK Government must consider all avenues to securing funds for East Africa, including through an emergency overall uplift to the UK aid budget for the response (rather than shifting money from other crises to East Africa). In addition, it is critical that funding reaches local actors, including women’s and girls’ rights organisations, as swiftly as possible to meet escalating humanitarian needs. 

My constituents have raised concerns regarding the hunger crisis in East Africa and how the UK has significantly scaled back its humanitarian response. To avoid massive loss of life I urge you to ensure that the UK significantly increases its response and the funding committed as allocations are made for 2023-24.

Yours sincerely,