Government confirms £2.2m funding toScottish aid agencies in Africa

Fiona Hyslop: Announcing more funding for aid agencies.© STV

The Scottish Government has announced it will give £2.2m in funding to Scottish based aid agencies working on the ground In Africa.

Fiona Hyslop MSP, the cabinet secretary for culture and external affairs, announced the package of funding during a visit to the headquarters of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) in Glasgow.

Almost £700,000 will go towards humanitarian efforts in drought stricken East Africa where people are struggling to feed themselves and thousands of malnourished children are dying.

In addition, a total of £1.5m has been allocated from the Scottish Government's International Development Fund to support existing projects in Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia and the Darfur region of Sudan under the Sub-Saharan Africa Programme.

Fiona Hyslop said: "It is vitally important that as the news headlines change and the images of drought-stricken East Africa become less visible, we do all we can to help those still suffering in the region.

"Described as the worst food crisis facing the global community right now, the situation remains desolate. This government is aware of our responsibilities to the wider world and is committed to providing help and support to the international community in times of crisis.

"This humanitarian aid will go directly to support Scottish organisations working on the ground and will ensure help is given swiftly and directly to those most in need.

"While other countries have slashed their aid budget, we have protected spending on international development. By providing aid directly to organisations working on the ground, we are making a real difference to some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people."

The £1.5m in grant extensions for the Sub-Saharan Africa Programme is in addition to £4m allocated to this programme from the International Development Fund since 2008.

It will be channelled through Tearfund Scotland, Concern Worldwide, Opportunity International and SCIAF to allow their projects to build on existing good work, to increase their sustainability and ultimately to help those in need in some of the poorest countries in Africa.