On August 8, 2024, Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya announced nearly $536 million in humanitarian assistance from the United States. This includes nearly $516 million through the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration and nearly $20 million through the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. This brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance in Sub-Saharan Africa to nearly $3.7 billion so far in Fiscal Year 2024.
"This U.S. humanitarian assistance will enable our humanitarian partners to respond to the critical needs of more than eight million refugees and asylum seekers as well as more than 30 million internally displaced persons, stateless persons, and conflict-affected people across sub-Saharan Africa," said Zeya. She noted that these populations are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity and climate change.
The aid aims to address crises in regions such as the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, among other emergency situations. It also seeks to build durable solutions including voluntary returns and refugee integration.
"Even with this significant contribution, needs far outpace available funding in Africa and globally," added Zeya. "We urge other donors to provide additional support to meet urgent humanitarian needs."
