Re your editorial on forgotten wars (17 March), Mercy Corps is one of the many organisations seeing the impact of international neglect on numerous crises. The repercussions of the Ukraine war are already being felt globally in rising food and energy prices. While we’re deploying a major response in Ukraine, we can’t take our foot off the pedal in other countries. We need donors to match their compassion for all those living through war and the impact of climate change.
Afghanistan’s economy and social systems are facing collapse, with millions of lives at stake. As drought worsens across the Horn of Africa, 13 million people face hunger in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. In Yemen, 66% of the population – 20 million people – are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
The decision to slash the aid budget was always going to come at the expense of some of the world’s most marginalised people. The UK must bring its aid budget back in line with 0.7% of gross national income as a matter of urgency.
Michael McKean
Mercy Corps Europe
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