UNICEF appeals for $1b to help children in Horn of Africa

A Somali woman and children carry water at a camp for displaced people on the outskirts of Dollow, Somalia on Sept 20, 2022. (JEROME DELAY / AP)

NAIROBI – The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Monday launched a $1 billion emergency funding appeal to reach millions of children in the Horn of Africa region in 2023.

UNICEF said it revised its emergency life-saving appeal across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia from $879 million in September to $1 billion to cover 2023.

It said children in the Horn of Africa region are experiencing the most severe drought in recent history across the three countries, as well as the conflict in northern Ethiopia.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said the devastating impacts of climate change are an ever-present threat to children, "which is why we are prioritizing climate adaptation and resilience building as part of our humanitarian response."

ALSO READ: UNICEF seeks funds for drought-affected children in Ethiopia

UNICEF said children in the Horn of Africa region are experiencing the most severe drought in recent history across the three countries, as well as the conflict in northern Ethiopia

"This will help us to reach children living through today's crisis while also helping them and their communities prepare for those yet to come," she said in a statement.

UNICEF called on partners to increase support for the life-saving humanitarian response for children, maximizing the flexibility of this funding, prioritizing climate-adaptive anticipatory action and preparedness efforts, urgently adopting no-regrets approaches to preparedness and response, and ensuring equitable and principled humanitarian assistance.

In eastern and southern Africa, UNICEF said it will require more than $1.6 billion in 2023 to deliver life-saving aid to more than 39.8 million people, including at least 27 million children.

READ MORE: UN: Almost every child on earth to suffer from heatwaves by 2050

The UN children's agency said it will also require $217 million in emergency funding in South Sudan and $43 million in Uganda to help children who are enduring drought, floods, and other emergencies and are in urgent need of increased humanitarian support.

Previous post Gradiant, Global Water Solutions Provider, Awarded $20M in New Contracts in India
Next post Ramaphosa hits back as party backs him over cash scandal