East Africa famine

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed the Scottish Government will donate £200,000 to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s East Africa Crisis Appeal, which was launched yesterday.

The appeal will support those affected by famine in parts of South Sudan, where more than 4.9 million people currently do not have enough food to eat.

Caused by more than three years of conflict and violence, the situation in South Sudan has displaced millions of people and been exacerbated by severe drought, which is also affecting neighbouring countries including Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, with 16 million people in need of food, water and medical treatment.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

“The UN has warned there is an urgent need for humanitarian response to prevent thousands of people dying from starvation. The funding we’re donating will help provide emergency food, safe drinking water, life-saving nutritional support and emergency healthcare to those affected.

“The Scottish Government is clear we have a responsibility to be a good global citizen and support those in crisis elsewhere in the world.  I encourage the people of Scotland to also consider supporting the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal in whatever ways they can.”

Chair of the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal in Scotland, Neil Mathers, said: 

“This donation will bring a real difference to children and young families already suffering from the famine and food crisis in the region.  The Scottish Government is demonstrating their generosity in supporting people across the world who urgently need humanitarian assistance. We hope the people of Scotland will also join in that spirit and give their support to the appeal so that the DEC agencies can deliver immediate relief and aid into the crisis area.”

Background

The DEC – Disasters Emergency Committee – brings together 13 leading UK aid agencies to raise money at times of humanitarian crisis in poorer countries.

Donate to the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal at: www.dec.org.uk

The Scottish Government’s refreshed International Development Strategy targets development support for communities in Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda and Pakistan. An extra £1 million will be allocated for the International Development Fund in 2017-18, taking the fund total to £10 million. A new £1 million per year Humanitarian Emergency Fund will also be set up.