The United States has pledged more than $1 billion in additional humanitarian assistance to tackle food insecurity and meet urgent needs in 31 African countries.
This announcement, made during President Joe Biden’s visit to Angola, includes nearly $823 million through USAID, with over $202 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation, and nearly $186 million through the U.S. Department of State.
This funding follows President Biden’s commitment at the 2022 U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit to help African nations achieve food security by addressing the ongoing crisis of hunger. Africa remains the region with the highest percentage of people facing food insecurity. According to the UN, one in five Africans—approximately 300 million people—suffer from hunger, with the situation worsening due to rising levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition.
Factors such as armed conflict, extreme weather events, and natural disasters have escalated the humanitarian crisis, driving the need for increased aid to vulnerable populations.
The latest funding aims to provide life-saving assistance and vital programs for refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and other affected communities. It includes emergency health care, water, sanitation, and hygiene services to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among those most impacted by food insecurity.
In addition to addressing immediate needs, the assistance will support essential services such as protection, mental health, education, and shelter. Through the Commodity Credit Corporation, USAID will also purchase, ship, and distribute U.S. agricultural commodities to provide food aid in East and Central Africa.
The United States has long been a key provider of humanitarian aid to Africa and remains committed to supporting affected communities. The U.S. continues to call on other donors to join in addressing the historic humanitarian crisis on the continent.
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