Humanitarian Assistance to the Horn of Africa Region

In response to ongoing humanitarian crises in the Horn of Africa region, Australia is providing additional support to address critical needs including healthcare, food and clean water, as well as services for children, separated families and survivors of gender-based violence.

Assistance will be delivered through Australian and local NGOs, the International Committee of the Red Cross and UN partners.

Australia’s funding will help populations affected by ongoing conflicts and disasters. This includes:

• $13 million to assist vulnerable people in Sudan and Sudanese refugees displaced to the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Sudan,
• $6 million to Ethiopia and $6 million to Somalia to support people affected by crises,
• $4 million to Kenya to respond to flooding and address food insecurity.

Australia is deeply concerned by the compounding effects of ongoing conflicts and climate change on vulnerable people, including women, children, and people with disabilities.

Since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, more than two million people have fled across borders and 7.1 million people have been internally displaced. Sudan is on course to become the world’s worst hunger crisis with 17.7 million people facing high levels of acute food insecurity and almost five million people on the brink of starvation.

In Ethiopia, at least 4.5 million people have been internally displaced due to conflict, violence, drought and flooding. Ethiopia is host to over one million refugees, making it the second largest refugee-hosting country in Africa.

In Somalia, four million people, or over a fifth of the population, are experiencing acute food insecurity. Kenya is host to some 800,000 refugees and is the fifth largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. Both countries have experienced recent flooding, exacerbated by the lingering effects of previous droughts.

Australia continues to advocate for political solutions to these conflicts and for safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian organisations delivering life-saving assistance.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Penny Wong:

“Australia is gravely concerned by the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa and is working with international partners to help the most vulnerable and address instability in the region.

“We continue to advocate for political solutions to these conflicts and to call for safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian organisations.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for International Development and The Pacific, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“Australia’s support will help conflict and climate affected populations in the Horn of Africa region access critical humanitarian assistance, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable, including women, children and people with disabilities.

“Australia has strong partnerships with humanitarian organisations who are vital to delivering this life-saving assistance.”

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Tim Watts MP:

“Australia’s response is part of broader efforts to support security and stability in the Horn of Africa region in the face of climate disasters and ongoing conflict.

“Australia is appalled by ongoing incidents of civilians being attacked, children being recruited to armed groups and gender-based violence increasing.”