Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what assessment his Department have made of the role of al-Shabaab on the UK's ability to distribute humanitarian aid in Somalia; and what steps he is taking to support people at risk of food insecurity in that country.

Somalia is one of the toughest places in the world to deliver aid. We support the UN Security Council resolutions on Somalia that call for all parties, including Al Shabaab, to allow for the full, safe, rapid and unhindered access of aid to persons in need across Somalia in line with humanitarian principles. We also support the UN in condemning all attacks on humanitarian personnel. DFID has been commended by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact for reaching our intended beneficiaries, even in very remote areas of Somalia, as a result of advanced and innovative methods of monitoring suppliers.

We recently announced an additional £30 million contribution to provide emergency, life-saving, assistance. This brings our total humanitarian spend in Somalia in 2019 to £68 million. We are also building lasting solutions including sustainable water supply and protection of livelihoods to reduce the risks of food insecurity for vulnerable communities in the longer term.