The European Commission has decided to allocate an additional €105.5 million in humanitarian aid for vulnerable populations in the countries of the Horn of Africa in order to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the region that is likely to be worsened as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
This EU aid, announced on Thursday 14 May, is intended for Somalia (€48 million), Ethiopia (€42 million), Kenya (€15 million) and Djibouti (€500,000).
“EU aid will support communities at risk of hunger and strengthen measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus”, according to the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.
This will also include supporting health facilities with the provision of basic services, epidemic control and preparedness for the Covid-19 pandemic.
The projects that are being funded will also aim to provide food aid, for example by helping farmers obtain seeds and fodder for their livestock or by combating acute malnutrition.
The funding will additionally help meet the primary needs of displaced persons and refugees (protection, shelter, food, access to health care, clean water and education for children). In the conflict-ridden Horn of Africa, 25 million people are now at risk of food shortages. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)