US announces $524 million in humanitarian aid for drought-hit Horn of Africa

By Betul Yuruk

UNITED NATIONS (AA) - The US announced Wednesday $524 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the drought-stricken Horn of Africa.

US envoy to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the announcement at the UN's pledging event to support the humanitarian response in the Horn of Africa.

"A storm of crises has pushed millions across the Horn of Africa to the brink. A long, protracted drought has exacerbated acute food insecurity," Thomas-Greenfield said.

"Thirty-six million people now rely on humanitarian assistance, and as we speak, the threat of famine looms larger still. In a world abundant with food, entire communities should never, never starve to death. Never."

The announcement brings the total US humanitarian assistance for response efforts to more than $1.4 billion in 2023.

She called for collective responsibility for a global problem, adding that "the global community is simply not meeting the moment."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the Horn of Africa was facing the longest drought on record.

"We must act now to prevent crisis from turning into catastrophe," he said.

He called on donors and the international community to urgently fund the 2023 humanitarian response plans for the region.

Germany also announced $226 million in humanitarian assistance for Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.