REACTION: Oxfam response to the £25 million pledged by the UK government to Somalia

In response to the £25 million pledged by the UK government to Somalia, John Plastow, Oxfam GB’s Chief Impact Officer, who recently visited drought-affected areas in Ethiopia and Kenya, said:

“The additional £25 million pledged by the UK government to Somalia is welcome but is far from sufficient to help the 28 million people across East Africa who are facing severe hunger.

“With rains failing in parts of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia for the fourth consecutive season and South Sudan suffering a fifth year of severe flooding, Oxfam is calling on the UK government to urgently provide at least £900 million to help avert widespread starvation and death across the region.

“We cannot wait until famine strikes; we must act now to help save lives and prevent further suffering.”

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