Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what support she is offering to the Government of Kenya to (a) maintain security in areas threatened by an increase in attacks by Al-Shabaab and (b) support internally displaced people and communities affected by those attacks.

The UK and Kenya are close partners in the fight against global terrorism, and strengthening our counterterrorism cooperation is a priority under the UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership. To tackle the threat posed by Al Shabaab, the UK Government provides the Kenyan authorities with a range of support to develop their counter terrorism capabilities. This includes partnering in the development of counter-IED (Improvised Explosive Device) capability with a regional Centre of Excellence based in Nairobi that benefits the whole region.

Since 2011, the UK has played a leading role in supporting refugees fleeing fighting and drought. This has included significant investments in drought mitigation and famine prevention initiatives which range from building capacities of governments and institutions to supporting early warning systems, adaptation and resilience efforts. UK support is making a difference on the ground. I [Minister Ford] have just announced £17 million of UK emergency humanitarian support via the Crisis Reserve to address drought and food insecurity needs in Somalia (£8 million), Ethiopia (£5 million), South Sudan (£3 million) and Kenya (£1 million).