Catherine today warned that Russia’s war in Ukraine is exacerbating the food crisis in East Africa, leading to the potential of famine in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.

Questioning Foreign Office Ministers, Catherine highlighted that “Save the Children and Oxfam have reported that one person is dying of hunger every 48 seconds in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia” and that Russia’s war against Ukraine has “affected all people in East Africa, where grain shortages have coincided with the most dangerous drought in 40 years, cuts to aid and Covid-19”.

Catherine called on the Government to “commit to frontloading future resilience funding” and to “bring forward those funds now to prevent a famine”.

Following her question, Catherine added: “Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine are having a worldwide impact. People in East Africa are facing a deadly combination of grain shortages due to the war, drought, cuts to aid, and challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We need to see a swift and united response to prevent a famine in East Africa, parts of which are tragically already seeing someone die of hunger every 48 seconds.”