Oxfam and Save the Children released a new report this week, A Dangerous Delay, on the difficulties faced by aid agencies and the international community in their reaction to the food crisis in East Africa.
UNICEF UK Executive Director David Bull made the following statement:
"UNICEF welcomes the report, as we have always stressed that early warning systems on humanitarian developments need to be followed by early action.
"UNICEF has been working for children and their families in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia for several decades and our response to the impending crisis in the region began as early as November 2010, providing emergency treatment for malnourished children.
"But we cannot work alone. Without the eyes of the international community, and indeed the media, turning to the crisis, we cannot secure the additional funding necessary to quickly scale up our efforts when these crisis situations emerge.
"However, what we can say is that when the media spotlight finally turned to East Africa, the British public and UK government gave generously and we can assure all donors that their money made a difference. That money saved children’s lives.
"Right now, in the Sahel belt of West Africa, another imminent food crisis is unfolding, due to drought and high food prices. If another large-scale emergency is to be averted, we need governments and donors to act now to help us to give children and their communities the food, healthcare and water supplies they need to survive the coming months.
"UNICEF and governments in West Africa have the right systems in place to deal with this emerging crisis. But we must learn the lessons from East Africa and get additional funds quickly to provide children with the supplies they need to stay alive. The children of West Africa need our help now."
