This substantial aid package will assist those people who are displaced by extreme weather events.
Joe Biden
Former President Joe Biden has announced that the United States will allocate over $1 billion in humanitarian aid. This amount will be given to support African nations who are grappling with food insecurity. It is also for those countries who are suffering from displacement caused by conflict and drought. This announcement was made during Biden’s visit to Angola on Tuesday. This trip was his first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as president.
This substantial aid package will assist those people who are displaced by extreme weather events. This includes the severe drought which is currently impacting the Southern Africa. It also includes those who affected by armed conflicts. The funds will be directed to 31 African countries. This addresses the urgent needs of refugees, internally displaced persons, and vulnerable communities.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has outlined that the assistance would help combat food insecurity. This will also alleviate other critical challenges faced by displaced populations.
Joe Biden has also emphasized the severity of the situation. He noted that several countries in southern Africa are experiencing the worst drought in a century. This drought is resulting in significant crop and livestock losses.
Joe Biden also pointed out that the combination of armed conflict, natural disasters, and extreme weather is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis across the continent. “Today’s announcement is a clear demonstration of our continued commitment to supporting our African partners in the face of these challenges,” Biden stated in his address in Luanda, Angola’s capital.
The United Nations reports that nearly 300 million Africans are suffering. One in five people were suffering from hunger in 2023. With number of individuals facing acute food insecurity and malnutrition on the rise, this helping hand from US is the new ray of hope. In total, the U.S. is set to contribute nearly $6.6 billion in humanitarian assistance across sub-Saharan Africa for the 2024 fiscal year. Furthermore underscoring its dedication is done for addressing the region’s pressing needs.
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During his visit to Angola, President Joe Biden expressed his gratitude to Angolan President João Lourenço for his efforts in mediating regional conflicts. He stood up for Angola’s vocal stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Biden, who arrived in Angola on Monday for a three-day visit, met with Lourenço at the presidential palace in Luanda. Their discussions also touched on a significant U.S.-backed infrastructure project that strengthens the economic ties between the two countries.
A focal point of this visit was the $1 billion railway project. This railway project plays a pivotal role in connecting the resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to Angola’s Lobito port on the Atlantic. This 1,300-kilometer (807-mile) rail network is expected to provide a faster and more efficient route for transporting exports to Western markets. This ambitious project is regarded as the largest U.S. rail investment in Africa. This project is going to be a strategic move to challenge China’s dominance in critical minerals. It also includes metals such as copper and cobalt, which are primarily sourced from the DRC. Furthermore analysts view that the railway is as a key initiative in securing a more diversified supply chain for these vital resources.
Moreover Biden hailed the railway as “the largest U.S. investment in African rail infrastructure in history,” emphasizing its potential to reshape trade and enhance economic cooperation between the nations involved.
