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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

USAID Official to visit Horn of Africa and Assess Humanitarian Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2006
0328-06-016
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov

WASHINGTON, DC - Michael Hess, Assistant Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the lead U.S Government (USG) agency for international humanitarian assistance, will visit Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti to assess emergency needs from April 6-20. The USG remains concerned about the acute humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, where drought is affecting as many as 16 million people this year. In particular, 7-8 million pastoralist herders and farmers living in northeastern Kenya, southern Somalia, southern Ethiopia, and also Djibouti are facing severe shortages of water and food.

This region has experienced several consecutive seasons of failed rains, leaving residents without any means to cope. The USG is preparing for a potential worsening of the crisis as spring rains in the region are not expected to meet the levels sufficient to provide relief. Conflict and insecurity also complicate humanitarian access.

The USG has provided more than $150 million in emergency humanitarian assistance since November 2005 in order to meet the urgent needs of the most vulnerable populations of the region. This assistance includes food aid, emergency water and sanitation interventions, health and nutrition activities, and livelihood support. In addition to the significant on-going development assistance programs in the region, USAID will provide approximately $7 million to help increase sustainable sources of clean water.

The United States is calling upon other donor nations as well as the Governments of Kenya and Ethiopia to increase their efforts to prevent another catastrophic famine in the Horn of Africa.

For more information on USAID efforts, please visit our website: www.usaid.gov.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

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