Wednesday July 11, 2018
Nairobi (HOL) - The European Union has released €89 million (nearly $105 million) in humanitarian aid to Somalia just days ahead of the Somali Partnership Forum co-hosted by the EU.
The European Commission on Wednesday said the money will be used to provide life-saving support to those most desperate.
"The devastating effects of two years of drought and the recent intense flooding are taking their toll on the livelihood of millions of people in Somalia," Commissioner Christos Stylianides, in charge of humanitarian aid and crisis management, said in the statement.
"Our aid will target the most vulnerable and provide life-saving support to those affected by climatic shocks and internal conflict," Stylianides said.
The Commission has noted that the humanitarian assistance provided to Somalia has been increased, with nearly €119 million (some $135 million) to the country last year alone.
"Out of the aid package, €89 million in emergency assistance will be channelled in Somalia to reach communities displaced by severe drought," it said, "...focussing on the prevention and treatment of malnutrition, water supply and livestock protection, as well as health measures against epidemics."
The Commission has also expressed concern that there is no secure food supply for nearly half of the population, with nearly 1.2 million children expected to be acutely malnourished in 2018.
"The country has 2.6 million internally displaced people, and the situation worsened following the April 2018 floods, which affected 427,000 people and left 175,000 displaced," it said.
"In addition to climate shocks, the conflict remains at the centre of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia with insecurity and violence taking a heavy toll on civilians for decades, affecting livelihoods and hampering economic progress and development."
In the statement, the Commission also allocated a further €500,000 (around $585,000) to support refugees in Djibouti by providing water, sanitation and protection to the communities living in refugee camps.
"In Djibouti, the EU provides humanitarian aid to the refugee population as well as the host communities," it said. "Since 2012, over €10 million in emergency assistance has been allocated to the country.
"Humanitarian funding from the EU provides refugees [in Djibouti] with access to clean water and sanitation as well as protection," the Commission added.
The funding comes ahead of the Somalia Partnership Forum co-hosted by the European Union taking place next week over 16-17 July.