MP Rushanara Ali pushes for more international aid

The government must increase humanitarian aid to tackle famine and drought in the third world, an MP has urged.

Rushanara Ali, who is MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, made the plea after a UN study found almost 260,000 people died of famine in Somalia in east Africa during 2011.

Almost half of those who died were under the age of five, the study found.

Ms Ali, who is shadow minister for international development, criticised international response to the crisis.

“Action was only taken once the famine had been officially declared and at that point thousands were already suffering and the crisis could sadly no longer be averted”, she said.

The UK must now enshrine its commitment to providing aid in law, Ms Ali added.