ALMOST a million pounds has been awarded by the Scottish Government to three charities to continue supporting their work in Africa.

Oxfam Scotland's food security programme for Tanz­anian farmers will get £300,000 for 2015-16, Tearfund Scotland's Ending Poverty One Village at a Time project in Rwanda will receive £299,882, while the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund is allocated £294,935 for the Kulima Programme in Zambia.

Minister for International Development Humza Yousaf said: "Partnership working, and achieving real and tangible outcomes on the ground, are integral to the Scottish Government's International Development policy.

"The projects linked to today's announcement reflect this ethos."

Meanwhile, the UK government's International Development department has said it will match every pound donated to Sciaf's 50th anniversary Wee Box, Big Change appeal, helping thousands of women farmers in Africa.