EU Boosts Humanitarian Aid to Greater Horn of Africa with €122 Million
The European Union has announced an additional €122 million in humanitarian aid for the Greater Horn of Africa, targeting urgent needs exacerbated by ongoing conflicts and climate-related disasters such as droughts and floods. This new funding will provide essential support, including food and nutrition assistance, water, and sanitation services, aimed at mitigating the risk of disease outbreaks in the most vulnerable areas.
The funds will be allocated as follows: €42 million to Ethiopia, €40 million to Somalia, and €40 million to South Sudan. This latest contribution brings the EU’s total aid to the region for 2024 to over €421 million, including a previous allocation of more than €56 million mobilized in April to address the crisis in Sudan.
Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management
The Greater Horn of Africa is grappling with severe humanitarian crises driven by conflicts and the impacts of climate change. Over 70 million people in the region are in immediate need of assistance.
In Ethiopia, the situation remains critical, with over 10 million people facing severe food insecurity during the current lean season, which runs from July to September. The country also hosts over one million refugees, including those fleeing the conflict in Sudan, while dealing with outbreaks of diseases such as malaria, cholera, and measles.
Somalia is contending with one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with nearly 7 million people requiring life-saving aid. The country is struggling to recover from a historic drought, compounded by recent floods and cholera outbreaks. Anticipated La Niña effects and potential dry spells later in the year could further exacerbate food insecurity.
South Sudan is facing an acute economic crisis, worsened by conflict in neighboring Sudan, which has increased displacement and vulnerability. This summer, an estimated 80,000 people are projected to experience famine-like conditions, with new flooding expected to worsen the situation for communities still recovering from four consecutive years of floods.
Janez Lenarčič, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “As humanitarian needs continue to grow in the Horn of Africa, so are we increasing our humanitarian aid to this region, one of the most vulnerable in the world. This additional funding of €122 million will support the scale-up of life-saving assistance in Ethiopia, Somalia, and South Sudan, addressing critical food insecurity, multi-sectoral needs, and supporting displaced people and newly-arrived refugees, including those fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan.”
EAR- Editorial Note
This news story is sourced from European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Press Release : https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/news-stories/news/eu-allocates-eu122-million-humanitarian-aid-greater-horn-africa-2024-08-22_en
