The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced the resumption of food assistance for people across Ethiopia.
This decision comes after months of diplomatic engagement and negotiations, resulting in substantial reforms in the food assistance structure by the Government of Ethiopia and humanitarian partners.
According to Jessica Jennings, Spokesperson for USAID, these comprehensive reforms aim to enhance oversight and beneficiary selection, instilling confidence that food assistance will effectively reach the most vulnerable populations as intended.
The reforms mark a fundamental shift in Ethiopia’s food aid system, addressing acute food insecurity issues.
In Ethiopia, we remain committed to delivering life-saving aid to those in need. Over the last several months, the United States has engaged in significant diplomatic engagement and negotiation, resulting in widespread and substantial reforms of the food assistance structure by the Government of Ethiopia and our humanitarian partners. These reforms allow for enhanced oversight and beneficiary selection that provide the confidence we need that food assistance will reach the most vulnerable populations who are the intended recipients. As a result of this progress, beginning next month, USAID will resume food assistance across Ethiopia.
Starting from the next month, USAID commits to a one-year trial period for the nationwide resumption of food assistance. During this period, continuous monitoring and evaluation will assess the effectiveness of the implemented reforms by USAID, its partners, and the Ethiopian government.
The measures undertaken include strengthening program monitoring and oversight, reinforcing commodity tracking, and improving beneficiary registration processes conducted by USAID partners. The Government of Ethiopia has agreed to operational changes in collaboration with humanitarian partners to enhance their ability to identify and approve beneficiaries based on vulnerability criteria. Additionally, the government has committed to providing unimpeded access for USAID and third-party monitors to review various sites across the country.
USAID places the highest priority on taking every possible measure to make sure that U.S. humanitarian assistance is used for its intended purpose, reaches the most vulnerable, and ultimately saves lives. Given the significant number of people in need of food assistance in Ethiopia, we are pleased these important reforms will allow the delivery of food assistance to those who need it most.
USAID emphasises its commitment to ensuring that U.S. humanitarian assistance is utilised for its intended purpose, reaching the most vulnerable populations, and ultimately saving lives.
With a significant number of people in Ethiopia requiring food assistance, these reforms are anticipated to facilitate the effective delivery of aid to those in critical need. The resumption is seen as a positive step forward in the ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian challenges faced by Ethiopia.
