Mr. Dominic MacSorley:

As my colleagues would point out, most humanitarian appeals probably end up being 50% funded, or 60% at best. Other countries that are off the profile tend to fare worse. I once asked the UN co-ordinator in the Central African Republic what one cuts when one only has 30% of what one needs. He said one starts cutting back food from two meals a day down to one, so there are very real consequences and prioritisation that really should not be taking place. A key point in many respects is we are often finding the appeals are probably undervalued to a certain extent. They are pitched more around what we can get rather than the true cost.

We must recognise that since Covid and Ukraine the cost of operating in humanitarian crises has significantly increased. We have seen the cost of fuel rise everywhere and it is likewise with food. The WFP was saying it will possibly have to cut back on food distribution in Chad. On the flip side, we met for an INGO meeting, which was the first meeting back in Geneina, across the border, for some time. Our commitment is to ensure we are working as effectively and efficiently as possible, mapping out where everybody is working and ensuring there is not overlap. The bottom line is there is not enough money coming through, even at the scale of how we can respond and it needs to be addressed. As to the donors, I will choose one, namely, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. It has largely retreated as a major player and we and the communities are all living with the consequences.