The European Commission has allocated €10 million (about Shs37b) to Uganda to boost food production and increase the country’s resilience to famine and hunger.
According to the Commission, the funding will help Uganda to support its vulnerable people to cope with the “unjust consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, notably the current food security crisis and related economic shock.”
Announcing the funding on September 24, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, said the Russian invasion of Ukraine dramatically exacerbated the situation for the most vulnerable worldwide who already face the effects of armed conflicts, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Global food insecurity is our utmost concern. Data shows that tens of millions more people are facing food shortages compared to an already difficult last year. The newly allocated funds will help those in a dire situation meet their emergency food needs. The EU remains committed to support the most vulnerable. However, humanitarian aid cannot substitute efforts needed to increase resilience of most vulnerable populations. Sustainable development-oriented solutions to end hunger are crucial,” he said.
The funding is part of €600 million allocated by European Commission to finance immediate humanitarian food aid, food production and resilience of food systems in the most vulnerable countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP).
Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen stated: “The EU’s swift and comprehensive response to the current food insecurity in several vulnerable partner countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific area demonstrates our strong solidarity towards our partners, in particular in Africa. It helps shoulder the consequences felt worldwide of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. In the short-term we are helping families with food and nutrition assistance and helping countries to buy the food they need; as part of the Global Gateway strategy, we also work on solutions to address current and future risks by investing in local sustainable food systems to enhance resilience.”
In Eastern Africa/Great Lakes, €25 million has been allocated to DRC, €10 million to Kenya, €10 million to Rwanda, €20 million for Somalia, €2 million for Burundi refugee crisis, €8 million for Ethiopia, €29 million for Sudan and €5.5 million for South Sudan.
In Southern Africa, €10 million has been allocated to Madagascar, €15 million for Malawi, €15 million for Mozambique and €20 million for Zambia. For emergency food assistance, €4 million has been allocated to Madagascar, €8 million for Mozambique, €4 million for Zimbabwe and €0.5 million for Southern Africa region.
The world is facing a global food crisis, aggravated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The recently published mid-year update of the Global Report on Food Crises estimates that up to 205.1 million people currently face high levels of acute food insecurity in 45 countries covered by the Global Report on Food Crises 2022.