In response to growing food insecurity, the EU is increasing its food aid to the 15 most vulnerable countries in the world. The mobilisation of €210 million was announced by the European Commission on Monday 14 November, on the eve of the G20 summit in Bali.
Global food insecurity has reached record levels this year, with at least 205 million people currently acutely food insecure and in need of emergency assistance. The envelope, financed by the EU humanitarian budget, is distributed as follows:
- Eastern and Southern Africa. Ethiopia: €10 million; Somalia: €10 million. For both countries, this will involve providing food and nutritional assistance, livelihood support, access to water and sanitation. Sudan: €9 million; South Sudan €6 million.
- West and Central Africa. Burkina Faso: €2 million; Mali: €1 million; Niger: €2 million; Chad: €1 million; CAR: €4 million.
- Middle East. Yemen: €35 million; Syria: €15 million; Lebanon: €5 million for refugees and vulnerable Lebanese in the country.
- Afghanistan. €75 million to address the needs of 24 million people affected by the regional crisis as well as the needs related to the recent winter and natural disasters.
- Latin America. 30 million in response to the regional crisis in Venezuela and neighbouring countries (notably Colombia, Ecuador and Peru); €5 million for the Central American dry corridor (food and nutritional assistance, health, water and sanitation).
In a statement, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterates that, “Russia’s war in Ukraine is having a major effect on global food supply. Countries that were already vulnerable to food shocks have been put in a dramatic situation. We must act to avoid famine in some of the poorest areas of the world”.
According to the Commission, this EU aid will be distributed between 2020 and 2024, and will amount to €8 billion. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)