The European Union's executive will increase funding for victims of the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa, the EU's crisis chief said today after visiting Kenya and Somalia.
Kristalina Georgieva said the European Commission would immediately give a further €28 million on top of the €70 million it has given the region this year. EU governments have made further donations.
The United Nations has declared a famine in two regions of Somalia and said it may spread further.
Years of conflict in southern Somalia have exacerbated the emergency, preventing aid agencies from helping communities. Nearly 135,000 Somalis have fled since January, mainly to neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia.
"This unprecedented crisis in the Horn of Africa calls for an unprecedented response," Ms Georgieva said after visiting Kenya's Dadaab camp, which shelters 400,000 people.
"On top of the new funding of €27.8 million, I have started the process to mobilise another €60 million to alleviate the suffering of so many people," she added. "This will bring our response to nearly €158 million."
The World Food Programme says it needs an extra $360 million in urgent funds. Oxfam says that overall another $1 billion is needed to handle the situation.
Reuters