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.
From late March to late April, several Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)-led Coalition airstrikes caused the deaths of at least 109 civilians, the UN reports. Additionally, escalating insecurity in Sa’dah and Ta’izz governorates resulted in the death of an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff member and destroyed a water system that supplies safe drinking water to approximately 7,500 people. Relief actors issued statements condemning the incidents and emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure
The Yobe State Commissioner for Health declared a cholera outbreak in Nigeria’s BadeLocal Government Area (LGA) in early April. Health actors recorded more than 340suspected cholera cases in the state, more than 95 percent of which were from Bade,between March 28 and April 16.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) continue to report bureaucratic impediments, such as extra fees related to staff work permits and communications equipment, which restrict access to populations in need across South Sudan. Despite significant humanitarian access constraints, relief agencies—including USAID partners—continue to provide life-saving emergency assistance to populations in need throughout the country.
Government of Nigeria (GoN) authorities officially reopened the road from BornoState’s capital city of Maiduguri to Borno’s Banki town in Bama Local Government Area(LGA) on March 24. GoN officials had closed the road to civilian traffic in September 2014 due to escalated conflict in the area. The reopened route restores overland access toBorno’s town of Bama, prompting Borno officials to begin the first phase of internally displaced person (IDP) returns to the town on April 2.
On March 21, the GoN announced that armed actors had released 104 of the 110 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Science and Technical College on February 19, according to international media. The mid-February attack and abduction resulted in at least five deaths, according to some of the released students.
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