ActionAid Head of Humanitarian Response Mike Noyes, commenting on the International Development Committee’s letter on East Africa, said:
“Hunger, conflict and disease has displaced millions of people across East Africa. Women and girls are more likely to be displaced and face violence and other risks. Countless lives are at stake yet UN humanitarian appeals remains chronically underfunded.
“It’s a race against time to save lives but not enough is being done by the global community to feed the 20 million people who are going hungry. The 2011 famine in Somalia killed a quarter of a million people. Children starved to death in front of their mothers while the international community hesitated. That cannot be allowed to happen again.
“The UK has shown its commitment but more must be done and other countries must contribute urgently. More action is needed to save lives before it is too late.”