UK announces $76 million in humanitarian aid for Middle East, other regions

The United Kingdom has pledged an additional £61 million ($76 million) in humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable populations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) announced on December 30.

Deputy Foreign Secretary Anneliese Dodds underscored the urgency of the aid, citing a global humanitarian crisis exacerbated by climate change, conflicts, and poverty, Caliber.Az reports via the UK government.

“We are seeing desperate humanitarian need right across the world. Climate change, conflict and extreme poverty are compounding the suffering of the most vulnerable,” Dodds said in a statement. 

Out of the allocated funds, £22 million ($27.6 million) will target humanitarian programmes in the Middle East, addressing the needs of communities affected by prolonged conflicts and displacement. A further £34 million ($42.7 million) will support critical aid initiatives in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Myanmar, Niger, and Somalia.

“The UK is working with our partners to scale up the delivery of humanitarian relief. By taking the lead in tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges we are countering threats to global stability, tackling migration upstream and delivering our Plan for Change to support hardworking British people,” Dodds added. 

The package also includes £5 million ($6.3 million) for the UN World Food Programme, aiming to combat food insecurity in some of the hardest-hit regions. Additionally, up to £5 million will be directed toward relief efforts in Mozambique following the devastation caused by Tropical Cyclone Chido.

By Vugar Khalilov