Swiss send millions in aid to Horn of Africa
Switzerland is devoting an additional 4.5 million francs ($4.9 million) to support humanitarian efforts in the Horn of Africa, the Foreign Ministry said.
The money will be used to help refugees in Ethiopia and Kenya and to assist the most vulnerable populations in Somalia. The Horn of Africa has recently been hit by a severe food crisis, affecting nearly 11 million people, a figure expected to rise, said the ministry in a statement.
Switzerland has contributed nearly 14 million francs ($17 million) in assistance to the Horn of Africa since the beginning of this year.
The country's humanitarian aid efforts are focused on the regions worst affected by drought, as well as those taking in most refugees, the statement said.
Several projects have been put in place with the aim of helping local populations through measures such as the restoration of wells and irrigation networks and the vaccination of livestock of nomadic populations, as well as providing emergency assistance, such as food, drinking water and health care.
In addition, several experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit are working on water, construction and food security projects in the region, the statement said.
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