UK funding cuts to east Africa ‘insulting and shortsighted’, say aid organisations

NGOs dismayed at reduction in Britain's contribution as crisis-hit region faces challenges from drought, rising prices and conflict

The UK has been accused of taking the insulting and shortsighted" decision to cut humanitarian aid to east Africa at a time of chronic drought, conflict and rising food prices.

At a United Nations pledging conference in New York on Wednesday, which the UK is co-chairing, Andrew Mitchell, the UK's international development minister, announced a humanitarian aid package to the region of 143m.