The United Kingdom has announced at least Sh995.4 million (£5.8 million) in funding to Kenya to help in humanitarian activities in the next financial year.
The UK Minister of Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said on Wednesday that the donation is part of the Sh24.5 billion (£143 million) set aside for different countries in the East African region.
Mitchell is expected to formally make the announcement at the UN Horn of Africa conference co-hosted by the UK, Qatar, the US, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
According to the UK, the funding will, among others, support citizens facing the drastic impacts of drought, conflict, food insecurity, and climate change in countries across East Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
“The Horn of Africa faces one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in the world. The catastrophic drought over the last two years has brought unimaginable suffering and millions cannot access adequate water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.”
“Our funding could not come at a more critical moment, and it is clear that we must act now, and do all we can to save lives,” Mitchell said.
The minister added that the new funding will also address the hunger crisis in parts of the Horn of Africa region by supporting victims of gender-based violence, providing families with access to basic services, nutritional support, emergency food and cash assistance and sustainable water supplies.
“As part of the UK, US and Qatar’s pledges made today, all three countries have partnered to commit £8.4 million for drought response and resilience support in Somalia.
“The UK is also pursuing all avenues to secure safe humanitarian access in Sudan, and UK support pledged today includes £21.7 million to help address people’s urgent needs,” Mitchell said.
The new funding comes after the United Kingdom had on May 19 released some £15 million to support the health sector in Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana.
The funds are expected to help train staff and improve health benefits through improved administration, data collection, and training and retention opportunities.
