Administrator Samantha Power will visit East Africa from July 22 to July 24, an area where a record-breaking drought is putting millions at risk of starvation and where Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is exacerbating food insecurity.
In order to give life-saving relief to the region where more than 18 million people are in need, Administrator Power today announced a nearly $1.3 billion increase in humanitarian and development assistance for the Horn of Africa.
This statement prompted the trip. Administrator Power will call on the international community to mobilise aid to prevent mass starvation and fatalities, especially in the most impacted nations, where famine is a very real possibility.
Administrator Power will meet with representatives from civil society, humanitarian organisations, and top government officials to examine the effects of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine on food security as well as U.S. support for drought response.
In order to better understand the effects of the drought on water supply, health, and livelihoods, Administrator Power will go to communities that are struggling with the loss of crops and cattle.
The Administrator will also go to a medical facility that offers combined medical care and nutritional support as well as a site for emergency food distribution that is supported by USAID.
The Administrator will do this because there are an estimated seven million children in the Horn of Africa who suffer from severe malnutrition.