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European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations
News article2 May 2023Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

EU allocates additional €25 million in humanitarian aid in Ethiopia and Kenya

aid worker seen from the back, speaking to beneficiaries
© European Union (photographer: Anouk Delafortrie)

The Commission announced today new funding of €22 million in humanitarian aid in Ethiopia as well as €3 million in Kenya to support those suffering from the impact of conflict, displacement, drought and health issues. 

The EU’s humanitarian funding in both countries will help address the high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition amongst the most vulnerable. It will also provide access to primary health care, clean and safe water, sanitation and hygiene services. In addition, our funding will help ensure educational opportunities for children affected by humanitarian crises who have missed out on schooling.

This new funding brings the total EU humanitarian funding in Ethiopia to €82.5 million and €15.5 million in Kenya respectively so far in 2023. 

Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “Against the backdrop of humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Kenya, the EU has mobilised this additional funding to continue supporting humanitarian organisations in the country scale up their emergency, life-saving assistance to the people in need. Our humanitarian experts on the ground are constantly monitoring the situation and we remain steadfast in our commitment to stand in solidarity with those in need in the country.” 

Background

Humanitarian needs in Ethiopia are massive, resulting from the impact of the 2-year conflict in the north of country, a severe and prolonged drought, large population displacements, as well as other conflict hotspots and localised conflicts.

Additionally, more than 90,000 refugees have recently crossed into Ethiopia from Somalia, with Ethiopia now hosting now over 890,000 refugees.

Kenya continues to be severely affected by the catastrophic drought in the Horn of Africa. The last rainy season (October to December 2022) was characterised by late onset, sporadic, and poor spatial and temporal distribution of rains, marking the 5th consecutive below average rainy season.

Despite some heavy rainfall during the first part of the March-May rainy season, the drought situation remains critical in most of the arid and semi-arid lands. It is estimated that around 4.4 million people (or 27% of its population) are facing high levels of acute food insecurity.