EU announces 77 mln euros aid for Horn of Africa in 2016

The European Union (EU) will offer a total of 77 million euros (83.40 U.S. dollars) in humanitarian aid to the Horn of African countries this year, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides was paying a visit to Kenya on Thursday and made the announcement, said Margaritis Schinas, chief spokesman for the EU's executive body the European Commission.

The EU's decision came as the Horn of Africa, namely Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda and Djibouti, continued to face a multitude of crises from conflict to natural disasters, Schinas told reporters in Brussels.

Somalia will be the main aid recipient with 29 million euros, followed by Ethiopia with 25 million euros and Kenya with 17 million euros, according to a statement released by the Commission.

Uganda and Djibouti are set to receive 5 million euros and 500,000 euros respectively,and a remaining of 500,000 euros will be used for disaster risk reduction in the region.

The EU's aid aimed to address "the most pressing needs of the displaced populations," as the Horn of Africa currently hosts some 1.7 million refugees, said the statement.

Last month, the EU announced 79 million euros in assistance for the Greater Horn of Africa, including Kenya, to help deal specifically with the consequences caused by El Nino, the Commission said. Endit