ADDIS ABABA – The USAID, United States aid agency, announced on Monday that it is providing nearly $105 million in humanitarian aid to bring immediate relief to drought-hit communities in the Horn of Africa.
“This additional funding will enable USAID partners to provide life-saving food assistance, support for health and nutrition services, and access to clean water,” the agency said.
The Horn of Africa is in the midst of a fourth consecutive failed rainy season with worsening drought conditions increasing the likelihood of famine for hundreds of thousands of people.
A fifth rainy season is forecast to be drier than average, further devastating livelihoods for families leaving more than 16 million people in need of immediate humanitarian assistance.
The number is expected to rise with up to 20 million people in need of urgent assistance by September.
The funding also supports protection activities, such as safe spaces and case management for women and girls displaced by drought.
The war in Eastern Europe, where countries from the East African region buy wheat and farm inputs, is further deepening a dire food crisis in the region, as already elevated food, fuel, and fertilizer prices soar even higher and shortages worsen.
The United States has provided more than $507 million across the region since the beginning of 2022, said the aid agency, adding more funding is needed urgently from other donors.
“Given the severity of the drought and the scale of humanitarian needs, the U.S. government is urging other donors to increase critically needed assistance to prevent famine and save the lives of millions of people,” the USAID said.