UK, Saudi announce $5M to address Somalia’s worsening food crisis

Pledge made during UK-Saudi dialogue in Riyadh will boost $22 million already committed in Somalia-Sudan.

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The UK and Saudi Arabia have announced an additional $5 million in humanitarian aid for Somalia to address a worsening food crisis and famine.

The two countries have already committed $22 million in joint humanitarian and development assistance in Somalia and Sudan.

The announcement was made during the second UK-Saudi Strategic Dialogue on Humanitarian Aid and International Development in Riyadh. UK Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell and Supervisor General of King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre Abdullah Al Rabeeah attended the meeting.

The focus was on encouraging progress towards peace and providing more aid to conflict-ridden people. According to the UK government, the new funding will support more than 50,000 children in Somalia by providing water, sanitation, and hygiene services.

The additional aid is also expected to increase cooperation in areas such as health interventions, education infrastructure development, and livelihood creation programmes.

The move demonstrates the UK government’s commitment to working with development partners to improve the effectiveness of humanitarian aid and achieve sustainable development goals, said a press statement.

The partnership between the UK and Saudi Arabia is expected to strengthen their technical experience and capacity-building by building upon the strong foundation established during previous dialogues.