Prime Minister Boris Johnson has today (Friday, June 24) committed £372 million to support countries most impacted by rising global food prices and shortages of fertiliser, including many Commonwealth states.

It is hoped that this funding with help provide immediate and longer-term relief to countries on the frontline of the food-security crisis currently being experienced, largely driven by the war in Ukraine.

"While Vladimir Putin continues his futile and unprovoked war in Ukraine and cravenly blockades millions of tonnes of grain, the world’s poorest people are inching closer to starvation," said Prime Minister Johnson.

"The government has put in place an unprecedented package of support to help the most vulnerable households in the UK deal with the rising cost of living.

"From emergency food aid to reviewing our own biofuel use, the UK is playing its part to address this pernicious global crisis."

The funding will be spread across multiple causes:

"At least 140 million people across Africa are already suffering from food insecurity, and millions more are facing food shortages as a result of Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine," added Foreign Secretary Liz Truss.

"The UK’s vital funding will provide humanitarian aid to increase access to food across the worst hit African countries, and help protect millions of people at risk from a growing global food disaster."