The European Union has approved an initial funding of 171 million euros ($185.6 million) for the countries of the Greater Horn of Africa to address the humanitarian needs of the population in the face of multiple regional conflicts, climate issues and economic crises, the European Commission announced on Tuesday.
"People in the Horn of Africa are facing mounting humanitarian needs as the region is plagued by multiple conflicts, climate extremes and economic shocks. Around 65 million are estimated to be in immediate need of assistance. The EU announced today an initial allocation of 171 million [euros] in humanitarian aid to the region. This funding is in addition to 72 million [euros] already announced for Sudan. Overall, the total initial allocation for humanitarian aid to the Greater Horn of Africa in 2024 is 243 million [euros]," the European Commission said in a statement.
The main beneficiaries of the European aid will be South Sudan (49.5 million euros), Ethiopia (38 million euros), Somalia (37 million euros), Uganda (27.5 million euros), Kenya (11.5 million euros) and Djibouti (500,000 euros), the Commission said, adding that the funding will contribute to humanitarian projects in these countries.
Through the new funding, the EU seeks to combat regional food and nutrition problems and improve the population's access to basic services, including education and child protection, the Commission added.