Speeches Shim
Fighting Famine
Photo: AFP PHOTO /
Tens of millions of people are in need of humanitarian assistance as a result of man-made crises in South Sudan, Nigeria, and Yemen - all of which are driven by violent conflict - and Somalia, where ongoing conflict is compounding the effects of severe and prolonged drought. These crises are forcing people to flee within and beyond their country borders, disrupting agricultural production and livelihoods, and severing families from their social support systems. Ongoing violence - including deliberate attacks on civilians and relief workers - continues to prevent aid from reaching those most in need.
The United States is one of the largest donors of humanitarian assistance in all four crises. The assistance we provide includes: emergency food and nutrition assistance, safe drinking water, life-saving medical care, and shelter for those who have been displaced, both internally and as refugees, as well as protection for civilians. The United States is also supporting health, sanitation and hygiene services to help stop the spread of preventable disease - a leading cause of death during food crises.
Our assistance represents the best of America's generosity and goodwill, while improving our national security by strengthening relationships with nations and people around the world. We will continue to work with our international and local partners to provide the life-saving aid needed to avert famine and to support surrounding countries, mitigating the impact of these crises.
As of September 4, UN Mission in the Republic of South Sudan and relief agency staff had completed the relocation of nearly 3,500 internally displaced persons from UN House protection of civilians site 3 in the capital city of Juba to a site in the city’s Mangateen neighborhood, the UN reports. Relocation activities commenced in late August in response to intracommunal clashes at the site. Relief organizations are assessing needs of the relocated population and planning response activities.
On September 3, USAID Counselor Thomas H. Staal announced approximately $173.6 million in additional FY 2018 U.S. Government (USG) funding for the humanitarian response in the Lake Chad Basin region, comprising areas of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. The figure includes nearly $72.7 million from USAID/OFDA, approximately $74.2 million from USAID/FFP, and $26.8 million from State/PRM. With nearly $934.4 million in FY 2017–2018 humanitarian funding, the USG remains the largest donor to the Lake Chad Basin response
On August 9, a Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)-led Coalition airstrike hit a school bus near Dahyan market in northern Sa’dah Governorate, resulting in at least 40 deaths and injuring more than 60 people, according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Relief actors issued statements condemning the incidents and urging parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law and the safety of civilians
From mid-April to late May, fighting between government and opposition elements resulted in more than 230 civilian deaths in Unity State, with the UN reporting that government forces deliberately attacked civilians during the clashes. A recent UN investigation found evidence of extreme violence—including targeted killings and sexual violence—against civilians during the fighting.
Insecurity persisted throughout the Lake Chad Basin region in July, with attacks by suspected Boko Haram elements resulting in civilian casualties in northeastern Nigeria’s Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) in Borno State and Chad’s Lac Region, international media report
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