US Grants $29M to Tackle Hunger and Build Resilience in Somalia

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced an additional $29 million in funding aimed at building resilience and improving food security for the nation’s most vulnerable populations.

The funding, part of two new five-year projects, marks the first installment in a broader strategy to assist approximately 80,000 vulnerable households. These include internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host community members in South Central Somalia. The initiative seeks to support marginalized households in developing sustainable livelihoods, enhancing access to essential services such as health and nutrition, and strengthening their capacity to endure future shocks.

Somalia faces a dire humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 6.9 million people requiring aid in 2024. This dire situation stems from a combination of factors, including severe weather events, persistent insecurity, disease outbreaks, and widespread poverty.

The 2023 El Niño phenomenon exacerbated the crisis, causing excessive rains and devastating floods. These natural disasters resulted in significant displacement, destruction of property, and loss of livelihoods. Furthermore, cholera and other waterborne diseases surged, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.