United States supports displaced families in Eastern and Central Africa

The number of displaced people in Eastern Africa has doubled over the past four years, rising from 13.2 million in 2020 to 26.5 million in 2024. This increase is largely due to conflict, with the war in Sudan forcing record numbers of people from their homes, as well as extreme weather events such as the 2020-2023 Horn of Africa drought. 

“People who have lost their homes and livelihoods represent a significant portion of those WFP aims to reach across eastern Africa this year. This funding from the US is critical to ensure we can maintain support for these vulnerable displaced people, many of whom rely almost entirely on humanitarian assistance to survive,” said Laurent Bukera, WFP’s Regional Director for Eastern Africa.

The growth in the number of displaced people in recent years has not been matched by a growth in resources, forcing WFP to make difficult decisions about who receives food assistance and how much. None of the displaced people that WFP supports in Burundi, Djibouti, Kenya, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tanzania, or Uganda are receiving a full ration (equivalent to 2,100 kilocalories) due to funding pressures.

The timely contribution from the US will enable WFP to provide cash transfers and in-kind food assistance to over one million displaced people, including refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, internally displaced persons, and some food-insecure host communities. In Rwanda, it will prevent a pipeline break in WFP’s refugee operation, ensuring continuity and stability for the most vulnerable through early 2025.

Note to editors: 

Burundi: WFP supports over 60,000 refugees and asylum seekers with food assistance in the form of cash and in-kind at 75 percent of a full food ration. Burundian returnees receive food assistance for 3 months on arrival. WFP supports an average of 4,200 returnees per month.

Djibouti: WFP supports 23,000 refugees and asylum seekers with food assistance in the form of cash and in-kind at 70 percent of a full food ration.

Kenya: WFP supports 650,000 refugees and asylum seekers with food assistance in the form of cash and in-kind at 40 percent of a full food ration.

Republic of Congo: WFP supports over 30,000 refugees and asylum seekers with food assistance in the form of cash at 70 percent of a full food ration.

Rwanda: WFP supports over 120,000 refugees, asylum seekers with food assistance in the form of cash and in-kind at 75 percent of a full ration for the most vulnerable refugees. People classed as moderately vulnerable receive a 37.5 percent ration and support through livelihood strengthening activities that support a transition to self-reliance.

Tanzania: WFP supports 191,000 refugees and asylum seekers with in-kind food assistance at 82 percent of a full food ration.

Uganda: WFP supports 1.4 million refugees and asylum seekers with food assistance in the form of cash and in-kind at 60 percent of a full ration for the most vulnerable refugees and a 30 percent ration for those classed as moderately vulnerable. New arrivals receive a full ration for the first three months. WFP also supports 52,000 refugees and Ugandan nationals with livelihood strengthening activities that support a transition to self-reliance.  

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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