U.S. Donates $118 Million to Support Displaced People in East Africa

Summary:

• The U.S. has donated $118 million to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to assist over 1 million displaced people in East Africa, including Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, and Uganda. The funding aims to address the growing displacement crisis, driven by conflict and extreme weather, providing food and cash assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons.

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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has secured a $118 million donation from the U.S. Government, channeled through USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance. This vital funding will help provide life-saving support to over one million displaced individuals across East Africa, including Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The number of displaced people in the region has more than doubled in the last four years, rising from 13.2 million in 2020 to 26.5 million in 2024. This surge is largely driven by ongoing conflicts, particularly the war in Sudan, and the devastating impact of extreme weather, such as the Horn of Africa drought from 2020 to 2023.

Laurent Bukera, WFP’s Regional Director for Eastern Africa, highlighted the critical nature of this funding: “People who have lost their homes and livelihoods represent a significant portion of those WFP aims to reach across Eastern Africa. This contribution from the U.S. is crucial in ensuring that we can continue supporting these vulnerable displaced populations, many of whom rely almost entirely on humanitarian aid for survival.”

Despite the increased demand, resources have not kept pace with the growing number of displaced people, leading WFP to make difficult decisions about how to allocate food assistance. As a result, none of the displaced populations in the region are receiving a full ration, which is equivalent to 2,100 kilocalories per day.

This generous U.S. funding will enable WFP to provide both cash transfers and in-kind food assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, internally displaced persons, and some food-insecure host communities. In Rwanda, the donation will prevent disruptions in WFP’s refugee operations, ensuring continued support for the most vulnerable through early 2025.

WFP Assistance Breakdown by Country:

Burundi: Over 60,000 refugees and asylum seekers receive 75% of a full food ration. Returnees are assisted for three months upon arrival.

Djibouti: 23,000 refugees and asylum seekers receive 70% of a full food ration.

Kenya: 650,000 refugees and asylum seekers receive 40% of a full food ration.

Republic of Congo: Over 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers receive 70% of a full food ration.

Rwanda: 120,000 refugees and asylum seekers receive 75% of a full ration, with moderately vulnerable individuals receiving 37.5%, and support for livelihood activities aimed at self-reliance.

Tanzania: 191,000 refugees and asylum seekers receive 82% of a full food ration.

Uganda: 1.4 million refugees and asylum seekers receive 60% of a full ration, with those classified as moderately vulnerable receiving 30%. New arrivals get full rations for the first three months. An additional 52,000 refugees and Ugandan nationals benefit from livelihood programs promoting self-reliance.