Queen makes a personal donation to those suffering from famine in East Africa

The Queen is doing her part to help those plagued by famine in East Africa, through making a personal donation.

The undisclosed contribution will seek to alleviate a humanitarian crisis affecting 16 million people -including 800,000 children aged between six months and five years- in each of South Sudan, Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, who are deemed in urgent need for life-saving treatment for severe malnutrition.

The first famine to be declared in six years has been triggered by a combination of drought and conflicts.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: “I can confirm that Her Majesty is making a personal donation to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s East Africa Crisis Appeal.”

The Queen’s initiative comes to support a wider pledge by Britain to match public donations up to £5 million for the East Africa Crisis Appeal, launched by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

British media, including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky will broadcast videos appealing for support from the public, as British Olympian Sir Mo Farah joined the cause.

Saleh Saeed, chief executive of DEC, said: “We are hearing that families are so desperate for food that they are resorting to eating leaves to survive. This is something no family should have to endure.

“Unless we act now the number of deaths will drastically increase. Don’t delay – please donate.”

It is not the first time that the monarch makes a personal donate to disaster-stricken countries. In 2015, she donated undisclosed sums to help those affected by the Nepal earthquake, while also contributing to the relief fund for victims of the earthquake that hit central Italy last year.

Her Majesty remains one of the most charitable figures in the world. Research conducted in 2012 revealed that £1.4 billion were raised through charities supported by her.

If you wish to join the Queen and donate, you can visit www.dec.org.uk or call 0370 60 60 610.