EU scales up response to famine and drought-affected countries in Horn of Africa with additional €165 million.
On the occasion of an official visit to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica, announced a support package of €165 million to address the multiple crises in the Horn of Africa region.
This package of €165 million will support the urgent needs of South Sudanese people in the country and the region but also the millions of people at risk of famine in the Horn of Africa.
Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said: "The European Union is responding immediately to the needs arising from the severe famine in South Sudan and the dire droughts in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya.
South Sudan crisis From this package of support, €100 million will be allocated to respond to the humanitarian crisis caused by the violent conflict in South Sudan.
Assistance will offer protection to women and children at risk, or victims, of human rights abuses, as well as support to treat alarming levels of malnutrition, diseases and water and sanitation.
The remaining amount of €70 million will support South Sudan’s neighbouring countries, notably Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya and Sudan, to continue providing protection and addressing the needs of South Sudanese fleeing conflict and seeking shelter in their territories.
Changing climatic conditions and successive failed rains during the past three years are triggering a humanitarian crisis of huge proportions.
A pre-famine alert has already been issued in February of this year.
It will also complement the €200 million which the EU approved in February this year to support the new Government of Somalia to continue transitioning out of fragility and building a resilience society.