Britain will provide a £21m boost to an emergency aid fund amid warnings 2018 could be “even bleaker” than this year, with its “harrowing” humanitarian crises.
International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt’s warning came as she confirmed the support for the United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
The money is expected to help provide food, critical health services, clean water and sanitation to millions of people, according to the Department for International Development (Dfid).
Ms Mordaunt said: “While 2017 was a year of harrowing humanitarian crises, the truth is 2018 could be even bleaker.
“When we see suffering, we instinctively want to help. Britons are big-hearted, open-minded and far-sighted – qualities that define a great nation.
“This year, through UK aid and further public donations, we helped avert famines in Nigeria and Somalia, gave emergency help to the survivors of the Caribbean hurricanes and provided a vital lifeline to people suffering from conflict in Syria and Yemen.”
Dfid said the UK provided £55m as part of its CERF core funding in 2017, with the additional £21m available from 1 January.
PA
