Horn of Africa - EU development in the region

Background Somalia Rest of countries To know more

Drought in the Horn of Africa. European Commission copyright.

Facts

Council Conclusions on the Horn of Africa (14/11/2011)
60 years: The countries located in the Horn of Africa are living the worst drought in 60 years, accourding to a United Nations estimate.
12 000 000 people are affected.
3 000 people a day are arriving in Kenya and Ethiopia from Somalia in search for help.
€97.47 million is the amount that the European Commission has allocated in humanitarian aid to the Horn of Africa.
€158 million is the total amount that the European Commission is going to allocate to the drought-affected populations in the Horn of Africa this year.
€440 million has committed the EU since 2008 for agriculture and food security in the Horn of Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia) helping to feed the most vulnerable people.

Two consecutive rainy seasons have failed, leading to a 25% drop in rainfall in rural areas in Somalia, Northern and Eastern Kenya, Southern and Eastern Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Malnutrition affects over 30% of people.

While parts of Somalia are facing famine conditions, neighbouring populations in Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti are already faced with a food security emergency.

But the current famine in the region, especially in the southern part of Somalia, has deeper structural causes.

EU funds provide critically needed food aid, particularly to severely malnourished children, as well as healthcare and clean water, sanitation facilities and supplies.

Child with livestock. European Commission copyright.

What is the EU doing to help Somalia?

To date, the EU is the biggest donor to Somalia.

From its main financial instrument for Africa, Caribbean and Pacific, the European Development Fund, the EU has committed €215.4 million for the period 2008 to 2013.

The 5th of August, European Commission announced that it is going to invest extra €175 million in improve governance, education and food security in Somalia.

Addressing the security situation and reinforcing governance in Somalia

The EU is one of the biggest donors to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), which was launched to help humanitarian aid to be safely delivered and to create the neccessary conditions for reconstruction, reconciliation and development in Somalia.

EU contribution to AMISOM since 2007 has been €208.4 million.

The EU is also supporting efforts of the Somali coastguard in prosecuting and detaining pirates through the EU NAVFOR Operation Atalanta. It contributes decisively to maritime security in the strategic commercial sea routes of the Gulf of Aden.

€60 million was set aside to strenght the governance and institutions of the state. The amount will be increased with €53 million (part of the €175 million increase)

Helping to povide food and support to agriculture in the Horn of Africa

The EU has committed over €440 million since 2008 for agriculture and food security in the Horn of Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia), helping to feed the most vulnerable people and encourage sustainabla agriculture.

Through the EU Food Security Thematic Programme Somalia has received €14.2 million between 2007 and 2010 in support to link relief, rehabilitation and development in fragile situations.

The EU Food Facility is providing €14.1 million to Somalia.

Livestock support in Somalia

The Livestock Support programme improves animal health services and increases surveillance, inspection and certification of animals.

The programme has helped 1.5 million people. The EU has givne €2.5 million to the programme.

Getting rid of the Rinderpest

EU contributed to free farmers from this disease by providing more than €203 million for Africa (€340 million worldwide)

The global eradication of the disease was declared in June 2011.

Learn more about what the EU is doing in Somalia

Drought in Somalia. European Commission copyright

Kenya

The EU has set aside €98.8 million for agriculture and rural development in Kenya.
It has launched the Kenya Rural Development Programme (66.4 million), which helps to spread knowledge on better crops and technologies, as well as providing better access for smale farmers to seeds and fertilisers.
The EU supports the country in handling droughts, notably by strengthening a drought early warning system and developing drought resistant crop folder.
Through the EU Food Security Thematic Programme Kenya has received €14.5 million in 2009 in support to link relief, rehabilitation and development in fragile situations.
The EU Food Facility is providing €31 million to Kenya.

Ethiopia

The EU has set aside €130 million for rural development and food security in Ethiopia.
7.5 million people have benefited from the Productive Safety Net Programme, which provides the poorest people food and cash in return for work.
Through the EU Food Security Thematic Programme Ethiopia has received €2.2 million in 2010 in support to link relief, rehabilitation and development in fragile situations.
The EU Food Facility is providing €42.9 million to Ethiopia.

Eritrea

The EU has allocated €70 million for food security.
A €37 million Support was launched in 2011 with the objective of enhancing food security through increased agricultural production.
Through the EU Food Security Thematic Programme Eritrea has received €2 million in 2009 in support to link relief, rehabilitation and development in fragile situations.
The EU Food Facility is providing €13.5 million to Eritrea.

Djibouti

The EU has used funds to finance a Food Aid programme (€1.54 million) as a complement to the humanitarian aid provided by the Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO).

Key press releases

• Helping Somalia recover and develop: European Commission to invest extra €175 million in governance, education and food security.

• Horn of Africa–EU Development Work in the region.

EU Development

• EU Food Facility: It was set up in order to respond to the challenges of rising food prices. By the end 2011, it is expected to have benefitted 50 million people in 50 developing countries.

• EU Food Security Thematic Programme: The programme's main objective is to address the structural causes of food insecurity putting agriculture at the heart of the international debate on development.

• EU Fighting Hunger: Reducing by half the number of people suffering from hunger by 2015 is a priority for the EU and the International community enshrined in the first Millenium Development Goal.

• The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM): This mission is mandated to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and to create the necessary conditions for reconstruction, reconciliation and the sustainable development of Somalia..