Germany increases Humanitarian Aid to Horn of Africa countries

Enlarge image (© German Embassy Nairobi) In the light of the dire humanitarian situation in many parts of Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti, which continues to deteriorate, the German Government increased humanitarian aid to the Horn of Africa by 5 mio Euros.

The drought has led to crop failures, rising food prices and to a critical shortage in supplies to the population. In Somalia, the ongoing civil war further exacarbates the situation, causing many people to seek refuge in the neighbouring countries.

Speaking of the situation in the Horn of Africa on 16 July 2011, Federal Ministers Westerwelle and Niebel declared: " We are greatly worried about the famine and the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa. Mainly refugees, women and children are affected by the continuing drought and the conflict in Somalia."

Enlarge image (© German Embassy Nairobi) The contribution, provided for equally by the Federal Foreign Office and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, will primarily be used to support refugees, internally displaced persons, women and children in the worst hit regions. The funds will be provided to German NGOs and multinational aid organisations such as the Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe, the UNHCR and the World Food Program.

In 2011, the Federal Foreign Office has already funded humanitarian aid projects worth 3.6 million Euro in the Horn of Africa.