US Gives $120 Million More to Drought-Stricken Horn of Africa

Posted April 25th, 2012 at 11:35 am (UTC-5)
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The United States is providing an additional $120 million in aid to the Horn of Africa, where a lack of rain is again threatening food supplies.

This is the second time this month the United States has announced major humanitarian aid to the Horn, following a $50-million contribution April 5.

The White House says the new aid is designed to prevent the food crisis from escalating in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. It says poor rains in the region “are expected to have a significant negative impact on crop production.”

Last year, the Horn suffered through a severe drought that triggered famine conditions in parts of southern Somalia. Thousands of Somalis died and tens of thousands more fled to camps in Mogadishu or refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, in search of food and water.

The United States says it has provided more than $1.1 billion in humanitarian aid to the Horn since the crisis began in 2011.