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31 May 2023 In the unprecedented outcome of the just concluded Horn of Africa pledging conference, world donors have missed a critical opportunity to help 32 millions drought-stricken people in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Of the US$7 billion needed to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the current humanitarian crisis, 28 donors pledged just above US$2.4 billion.
Famine has been prevented in the Horn of Africa, thanks to donors, local communities, humanitarian actors and authorities. However, the humanitarian emergency is not over and people are still at risk of acute food insecurity between April and June, the number of people at risk of acute food insecurity is still high. The devastating impact of the drought crisis in the region will be acutely felt for years to come.
The world must act now to help people in the Horn of Africa, who are the human face of the global climate emergency, prepare for the future. Despite contributing to just 0.08 per cent of global emissions, Somalia is ranked among the most climate vulnerable countries in the world. “Even though this is a significant increase in pledged funds, it is still far too little. Millions of people are at risk. Funding in 2023 has been insufficient and late: additional resources are urgently required to prevent a return to the worst-case scenario. There is no time to wait,” said Nimo Hassan, the Director of Somali NGO Consortium. “The shortfall in aid for Horn of Africa’s appeal is a serious challenge to the aid actors in Somalia,
Ethiopia and Kenya, where an imminent crisis is already unfolding due to the compounded factors of recurrent droughts, limited access, insecurity, and extreme floods that affected and displaced millions. As national NGOs, we are dismayed with the outcome of the high-level pledging conference. The world should not forget the Somali people,” said Alinur Ali, the Executive Director of GREDO. “In 2023 alone, over 1.2 million people have fled the devastating effects of the severe drought, recurrent flooding and violent conflicts. Humanitarians are working tirelessly on the ground to support vulnerable communities, including women, girls and minorities. However, needs remain tremendous and far beyond the announced pledges during the Horn of Africa Conference 2023.
We need substantial contributions now to save lives in Somalia,” added Audrey Crawford, the Country Director of Danish Refugee Council in Somalia.