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Press Release

22 September 2005

UK boosts pledge to over £56 million to combat Southern Africa food shortages

The UK is to provide an additional £11.505 million in aid to meet the needs of those affected by food shortages in Southern Africa, International Development Secretary Hilary Benn announced today.

The money will be used to distribute grain and provide cash grants for up to 7.5 million people facing food shortages in Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

The £11.505 million announced today will provide:

  • In Zimbabwe, £10 million for the United Nations (UN) humanitarian appeal to distribute up to 300,000 tonnes of grain to a possible 5 million people that may be affected by food shortages, and £500,000 to support victims of Operation Murambatsvina who have returned to their rural homes. All money will go through UN agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations;
  • In Mozambique, over £355,000 to provide vouchers for people to buy agricultural inputs such as seed, fertilizer and tools;
  • In Lesotho, £350,000 for vouchers for people to buy seed;
  • In Swaziland, £300,000 for vouchers so that people can buy seed.

This brings the UK commitment to help overcome food shortages in Southern Africa to £56.705 million so far this year. This includes £15.2 million already given in support for Malawi.

Hilary Benn said:

"We must ensure that humanitarian aid gets quickly to those in need, and we are in close contact with Southern African governments, the UN, and charities.

"The UK has now provided over £56 million of humanitarian relief to Southern African countries this year. I have written to my EU counterparts to urge them to contribute in response to this developing problem.

"At the UN summit in New York last week, donors pledged $150 million towards establishing a new humanitarian emergency fund. By delivering aid faster, such a fund could help save lives."

Notes for editors

1) On 13 September, Hilary Benn announced an additional £5 million to meet the needs of those affected by food shortages in Malawi. This brings the total UK commitment to the current food shortages in Malawi to £15.2 million, making the UK the largest donor to date.

2) The £10 million announcement for Zimbabwe, brings the total UK humanitarian commitments to Zimbabwe since the ongoing food crisis began in 2001, to over £100 million.

3) Total UK commitments for Southern Africa food shortages to date:

  • Lesotho - £350,000
  • Malawi - £15.2 million
  • Mozambique - £355,000
  • Swaziland - £300,000
  • Zambia - £0.5 million
  • Zimbabwe - £40 million

For further information, contact 020 7023 0600, e-mail pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300 4100.