UNITED NATIONS —The high-level U.N. conference held on Wednesday fell short of expectations, raising less than $1 billion out of the desired $5 billion to assist over 30 million people affected by a severe climate crisis and mass displacement in the Horn of Africa.
This outcome has been a significant disappointment for aid agencies.
The United Nations had appealed for $7 billion in funding this year to provide humanitarian aid, including food assistance, to Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. However, they had only received $1.6 billion prior to the conference. After considering the pledges made during the event, the U.N. humanitarian office announced that the total funding for 2023 now stands at $2.4 billion.
Therefore, the new funding announced on Wednesday amounted to only $800 million, with over 60% of it coming from the United States. The U.S. made an additional donation of $524 million, bringing their total contribution for the fiscal year ending on September 30 to over $1.4 billion.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had appealed to potential donors at the beginning of the pledging conference, emphasizing the urgent need for a substantial injection of funds to prevent the crisis resulting from the longest drought on record, widespread displacement, and soaring food prices, from escalating into a catastrophe.
The recent high-level U.N. conference on Wednesday was unable to meet expectations, as it raised less than $1 billion out of the targeted $5 billion to support more than 30 million individuals grappling with a severe climate crisis and mass displacement in the Horn of Africa. This outcome has been deeply disappointing for aid agencies involved.
The United Nations had initially appealed for $7 billion in funding for this year to provide humanitarian assistance, including food aid, to Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya. However, before the conference, they had only received $1.6 billion.
Following the event and the announced pledges, the U.N. humanitarian office reported that the total funding for 2023 now amounts to $2.4 billion.
Consequently, the new funding announced during the conference only reached $800 million, with the United States accounting for over 60% of that amount. The U.S. made an additional donation of $524 million, increasing their total contribution for the fiscal year ending on September 30 to over $1.4 billion.
At the commencement of the pledging conference, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had appealed to potential donors, stressing the urgent need for a significant infusion of funds. His goal was to avert a deepening crisis caused by the longest drought on record, extensive displacement, and skyrocketing food prices, which could potentially escalate into a full-fledged catastrophe.
The results of the pledging conference, which was co-hosted by the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Qatar, did not live up to expectations.
The U.N. humanitarian office reported that 25 countries, along with the European Commission, Islamic Relief, and the U.N.'s emergency humanitarian fund, made announcements during the conference. However, it was noted that some of the pledges included funds designated for 2024 and beyond.
During the conference, Germany's U.N. Ambassador, Antje Leendertse, stated that the 210 million euros ($226 million) in humanitarian aid allocated for the three countries in 2023 and 2024 did not encompass significant funding for "development and stabilization" efforts in the Horn of Africa.
According to UK Minister for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, the United Kingdom pledged $119 million to support the three Horn of Africa countries. Additionally, the UK pledged $27 million for Sudan, $23 million for South Sudan, and $9 million for Uganda, bringing their total new funding commitment to $178 million.
Alison Huggins, deputy director for Africa at the relief organization Mercy Corps, expressed caution regarding the conference's results. She mentioned that many of the pledges were merely confirmations of existing financial commitments and remained inadequate given the urgent and expanding needs of the region, as well as the countless lives still at stake.
Huggins emphasized that the people in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya contribute less than 0.1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which are responsible for global warming. Yet, they are bearing the brunt of the consequences of human-induced climate change.
The Horn of Africa is currently facing its worst food crisis in 40 years, marked by drought, locust invasions, conflict, and rising commodity prices. Over 31 million people require emergency aid, with more than 2.5 million displaced and significant livestock losses. The region is considered one of the world's worst climate emergencies.
Somalia has witnessed high death rates, particularly among children, due to drought. While rainfall has improved, it has led to flooding and further damage. Recovery from the historic drought will take years.
In Somalia, over 6 million people face severe hunger, and the situation is believed to be worse than the 2011 famine. In addition to the climate crisis, Somalia deals with insecurity caused by the al-Shabab extremist group.
Ethiopia's Tigray region heavily relies on food aid after years of civil war. Recent theft of humanitarian supplies has led to the suspension of food assistance.