Speeches Shim
On February 24, the UN Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted a resolution demanding a 30-day nationwide ceasefire in Syria to allow unimpeded and sustained humanitarian access to conduct life-saving interventions. However, Syrian Arab Republic Government (SARG) airstrikes and bombardments continued in Rif Damascus Governorate’s SARG-besieged Eastern Ghouta region following the resolution, and the SARG launched a ground offensive in the region on February 25, according to international media.
On March 6, U.S. Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson announced more than $128 million in new FY 2018 funding for the humanitarian response in the Lake Chad Basin region, comprising areas of Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria. The figure includes more than $13 million in USAID/OFDA funding, more than $96 million in USAID/FFP funding, and nearly $19 million in State/PRM funding.
Djibouti is a key strategic partner to the United States in the Horn of Africa. USAID reestablished its office here in 2003 and has since provided development assistance for basic health services, basic education, and democracy and good governance. With the growing importance of the US/Djibouti relationship and given tremendous need, USAID is also planning various new Economic Growth initiatives in partnership with the government of Djibouti (GoDj). Djibouti faces many challenges, including chronic drought and food insecurity; a lack of skilled workers; high unemployment; high electricity costs; poor health indicators; and a growing influx of climate change refugees and Yemeni refugees. Combined, these challenges severely strain the already limited resources of the Djiboutian government. Sustained assistance to this small but strategically important country is critical to its prosperity and to stability across the Horn of Africa.
On March 6, the U.S. Government (USG) announced an additional $184 million in humanitarian assistance for the South Sudan response, including $145 million for interventions in South Sudan and nearly $39 million for life-saving assistance to South Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries. The new funding comprises more than $107 million from USAID/FFP, nearly $17 million from USAID/OFDA, and more than $60 million from State/PRM
USAID aims to improve the Arabic reading skills of DHH children in grades 1 through 3 in schools for the deaf by improving the availability and quality of reading materials and teacher resources. To achieve this, USAID developed software to help teachers and parents easily create and publish MSL-supported educational materials to teach reading to DHH students.
USAID Digital Liberia e-Gov Activity aims to improve government’s performance and bring government closer to citizens by assisting it to develop its internet and computer technology capability. It will do this by providing technical assistance to help improve the connectivity and institutional capacity necessary to provide effective services.
On February 16, three person-borne improvised explosive devices (PBIEDs) detonated in a market in Borno State’s Konduga local government area (LGA), resulting in at least 20 deaths and 70 injuries, international media report.
From January 28–30, clashes between armed separatist groups and Republic of YemenGovernment (RoYG) forces in Yemen’s port city of Aden resulted in at least 39 deaths,injured more than 220 people, and prompted the temporary suspension of commercialand humanitarian activities in the city. The UN and humanitarian partners launched the 2018 Yemen Humanitarian ResponsePlan (HRP) on January 20, requesting nearly $3 billion to provide life-saving assistance to13.1 million vulnerable people. The 2018 Yemen HRP ranks as the largest humanitarianappeal globally and represents an approximately 26 percent increase in fundingrequirements compared to 2017
On February 8, the UN, in coordination with the Government of Nigeria (GoN), launched the 2018 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP), requesting nearly $1.1 billion to address the humanitarian needs of 6.1 million people across northeastern Nigeria. In addition to the continued delivery of life-saving assistance and protection of vulnerable populations, the 2018 HRP prioritizes resilience-building initiatives and strengthening links to longer-term recovery to help conflict-affected populations rebuild their lives.
To support and reinforce the capacity of Yemenis to lead the country’s recovery efforts, these activities work with key local and national institutions across sectors that will be critical as people affected by conflict start rebuilding their lives.
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