Rep. Omar Statement on USAID and IDA Humanitarian and Economic Aid to Combat Famine in the Horn of Africa

WASHINGTON—Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, released the following statement after the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced the U.S. will provide nearly $105 million in critical humanitarian aid to the Horn of Africa and the World Bank approved a $55 million International Development Assistance (IDA) grant to support Somalia's economic recovery.

"I am thrilled the Horn of Africa will receive desperately needed humanitarian aid and development assistance," said Rep. Omar. "Since April, I have been working with the Biden Administration to get financial assistance to food insecure countries in Africa following Russia's illegal war in Ukraine that is fueling the global food crisis. The impact of this crisis has been felt most acutely in the Horn of Africa, which is facing unprecedented droughts and significant conflict and political instability. The United Nations has warned about the imminent ‘explosion of child deaths' due to food insecurity and malnutrition in the Horn of Africa. I am glad to see the United States and other countries step up to provide food insecure countries in Africa, including Somalia with the financial support to fight against famine and boost economic recovery efforts. These commitments are welcome, but much more is needed. With millions of people on the verge of famine, we need to continue to rally all world leaders to increase supplies of food and fertilizers, support basic safety nets for those without food, and fund humanitarian operations to reduce famine and hunger. As the Vice Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, I will continue to fight to end the global food crisis and work towards a more prosperous continent."

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