Royal couple’s mission to draw attention to East Africa crisis

IT might not have matched her smart red coat, but the Duchess of Cambridge wore a smile at least as bright as the mis-matched hard hat during her first joint humanitarian mission with her husband.

The royal couple toured the Unicef emergency supply centre in Copenhagen yesterday to see how the charity was helping distribute food and medical supplies to stricken East Africa.

They then helped to pack some of the aid boxes with paracetemol, rehydration salts and antibiotics.

The pair, joined by Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary, were given a briefing on the aid mission – with William having a taste of a special high-protein peanut paste which is sent to malnourished children in Africa.

Later, they travelled to Copenhagen Airport to see off a British Airways Boeing 747, loaned to Unicef, as it headed to East Africa laden with aid.

The royal couple got engaged in Kenya last year and Kate said she was shocked by the human cost of severe drought and food shortages there.

The duchess, asked if the visit would raise awareness, said: “We really hope so”.

Severe food shortages in east Africa are affecting more than 13 million people and the royal party hopes to maintain global attention on the crisis, which is worsening with more areas expected to be declared in famine over the next few months.

At present, 320,000 children in east Africa are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and are at imminent risk of death without immediate assistance.

Kate arrived at the supply centre at the Unicef warehouse, which is the size of three football pitches, wearing a long pillarbox red coat, from LK Bennett, and a dark red belt with gold detail and a pair of suede boots

The royal couple attended a private reception at Unicef, attended by ambassador Sir Roger Moore and other donors.