ADDIS ABABA – In response to the devastating drought in the Horn of Africa, the United States, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing nearly $114 million in additional humanitarian aid to meet the needs of people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, affected by the unprecedented drought.
The region has faced two straight years of inadequate rainfall to support basic water, agriculture and livestock needs, the impact of which is devastating for a population heavily dependent on crops and livestock for food and livelihoods.
In total, more than 20 million people across the region are projected to need emergency food assistance this year, a 70 per cent increase from the devastating drought in 2016-2017.
In Ethiopia, this support will provide lifesaving food assistance and improved access to safe water, as well as medical supplies, support for mobile health units, and training for community health workers.
In Kenya, this additional assistance for drought-affected people in the north and east will provide families with food and specialised nutrition assistance for malnourished children and mothers.
It will also provide water, sanitation, and hygiene support, including provision and protection of safe water sources for people and livestock, as well as livelihood assistance including support to keep livestock alive and healthy.
In Somalia, this support will provide life-saving emergency food assistance to over two million people a month. It will also be used to provide preventative and curative nutrition assistance for children under six years old.
