Impact of US Aid Freeze on the Horn of Africa

The US’s foreign aid freeze has critical implications for the Horn of Africa, where in 2023, around 8% of the $72 billion in US aid was allocated to relevant countries. In Sudan, nearly 48% of external assistance was from the US, while in South Sudan and Somalia this rose to 52% and 60% respectively. The aid freeze threatens to exacerbate existing humanitarian crises marked by acute food insecurity and displacement affecting millions. Key initiatives aimed at mitigating disasters, such as water facilities, face funding cuts, necessitating a Europe-led response to coordinate aid effectively across the region.