Canada announces additional $58M in funding for drought-stricken Horn of Africa

By Firdevs Bulut Kartal

TORONTO (AA) - Canada on Wednesday announced an additional $58.1 million in funding for the drought-stricken Horn of Africa.

"Today, the Honorable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, announced $58.1 million in funding for gender-responsive humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of people in Ethiopia and Somalia," the government said in a statement.

The additional humanitarian aid brings Canada’s total 2023 humanitarian assistance funding for the Horn of Africa to over $98 million, the statement added.

The region is experiencing its worst drought ever recorded and has had below-average rainfall for over two years.

Even in areas where rain has recently fallen, the ground cannot absorb it due to drought, leading to devastating flash floods, said the statement.

"Canada is extremely concerned by the impact of the drought on vulnerable populations, who are already struggling as a result of conflict, insecurity and the COVID-19 pandemic. Current assessments indicate that at least 43 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance throughout Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia," it said.

The funding will be allocated to UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and other non-governmental organizations to provide the most vulnerable communities with food and other life-saving assistance such as healthcare, safe water and sanitation and protection services, it added.

The country will also support the coordination and logistics of the humanitarian response in both Ethiopia and Somalia.