The United States will provide more than $1 billion in additional humanitarian aid to address food insecurity and other critical needs in 31 African countries. Announced during President Joe Biden’s visit to Angola, the funding includes nearly $823 million through USAID, with over $202 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation, and almost $186 million through the U.S. Department of State.
This announcement reaffirms the U.S. commitment to addressing the growing food insecurity crisis in Africa, which faces the highest percentage of people experiencing hunger globally. According to the UN, nearly 300 million people in Africa faced hunger in 2023, with the number of those suffering from acute food insecurity and malnutrition continuing to rise due to armed conflict, extreme weather, and natural disasters.
The funding will support life-saving assistance, including emergency health care, water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. It will also address essential needs like protection, mental health, education, and shelter for vulnerable populations, including refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Additionally, USAID will use funding from the Commodity Credit Corporation to provide food assistance by purchasing, shipping, and distributing U.S. agricultural commodities to East and Central Africa.
This new aid is part of the U.S.’s ongoing efforts to support African communities in need. The U.S. continues to urge other donors to contribute to addressing the increasing humanitarian crisis. In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. provided nearly $6.6 billion in humanitarian assistance across sub-Saharan Africa, but much more is needed to meet the rising demands.
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