By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
RISING HUNGER across Africa continues to strain millions as the United States announced over $1 billion in additional humanitarian assistance to combat food insecurity and support vulnerable populations.
This funding, unveiled during President Joe Biden’s visit to Angola, aims to address the urgent needs of refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and communities impacted by armed conflict, natural disasters, and other emergencies across 31 African nations.
The aid includes nearly $823 million allocated through USAID, of which over $202 million comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation.
An additional $186 million will be distributed through the U.S. Department of State.
This assistance will fund life-saving initiatives, such as food aid, emergency healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene services, as well as mental health, education, and shelter programmes for those most affected.
President Biden reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Africa during the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit.
The region remains the hardest hit by hunger globally, with nearly 300 million people facing food shortages, according to the UN.
The assistance will provide critical food supplies sourced from American farmers to East and Central Africa, alongside measures to protect populations from exploitation and abuse.
In Fiscal Year 2024, the U.S. provided $6.6 billion in humanitarian aid across sub-Saharan Africa.
While this contribution underscores America’s longstanding support, President Biden called on other international donors to step up efforts to meet the growing crisis.
