UN appeals for $2.7B to support horn of Africa amid escalating crises
Millions face hunger, displacement, and climate disasters across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia as humanitarian needs soar
NAIROBI, Kenya (MNTV) – The United Nations has issued an urgent appeal for $2.7 billion to address worsening humanitarian crises in the Horn of Africa, warning that millions of lives are at risk across Ethiopia, Kenya, and somalia.
The call comes as the region grapples with a devastating combination of conflict, climate shocks, and deepening food insecurity. UN officials say that despite recent rains ending a prolonged drought, the scale of human suffering remains immense and continues to grow.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), more than 26 million people across the three countries need life-saving aid in 2025. Persistent challenges such as armed violence, displacement, disease outbreaks, and malnutrition are straining local communities and aid agencies.
“While rains have improved harvests in some areas, the damage of the past years’ droughts runs deep,” said Gemma Connell, head of OCHA’s regional office. “Families have lost livelihoods, children are malnourished, and millions remain displaced.”
In Somalia, nearly 4 million people are facing crisis levels of hunger. Recent clashes between government forces and al-Shabab militants have also displaced tens of thousands, further complicating aid delivery.
In Kenya, heavy floods have destroyed crops, homes, and vital infrastructure. The Kenya Red Cross reports that more than 90,000 people have been displaced by the latest wave of flooding in the north and east of the country.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia continues to face multiple emergencies. Conflict in the Amhara and Oromia regions, combined with climate shocks, have left nearly 20 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The fragile truce in the Tigray region has brought some relief, but access to many areas remains restricted.
The UN warns that without immediate funding, critical programs providing food, water, health care, and protection could be forced to scale back. Aid agencies are already struggling with severe funding shortfalls.
Connell stressed that the appeal is not just about survival, but about laying the groundwork for recovery. “Humanitarian assistance must go hand in hand with investments in resilience, peacebuilding, and climate adaptation,” she said.
Regional leaders have also called for greater international support. Speaking at a summit in Nairobi, Kenya’s President William Ruto said: “The Horn of Africa must not be forgotten. This is a crisis we can prevent from escalating into catastrophe, but we must act now.”
Aid groups point out that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of disasters in the region, underscoring the need for long-term solutions alongside emergency relief.
However, funding remains uncertain amid competing global crises. UN officials warn that time is running out to prevent a major humanitarian disaster.
“The cost of inaction will be measured in lives lost and futures destroyed,” said Connell.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
