US commits $92 million to prevent famine in Horn of Africa
April 7, 2006 (WASHINGTON) — President George W. Bush announced that the United States is sending $92 million (A74.7 million) in aid to prevent widespread famine and alleviate the causes of hunger in the Horn of Africa, currently in the throes of severe drought.
The U.S. aid he announced Thursday is in addition to more than $150 million (A121.8 million) in emergency humanitarian food and other assistance the United States already has provided to the region since October 2005.
Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki said this week that 5 million Kenyans are facing food shortages as a result of failed rains, well above the 3.5 million people being targeted by international aid agencies.
The drought that has hit northern and northeastern Kenya also has affected arid and semiarid areas of Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Tanzania and Burundi. Experts say more than 11.5 million people will be in need of food aid in the next six months.
“This increase in funding will mitigate the effects of the crisis in the Horn of Africa,” White House press secretary Scott McClellan said in a statement. “We commend the governments of Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti for their assistance in the delivery of aid to prevent another catastrophic famine in the Horn of Africa.”
McClellan said the $92 million (A74.7 million) includes the use of money designated by Congress for early intervention to prevent or lessen the effects of famine.
(ST/AP)