Trump gives Nigeria, three others $639m aid

U.S. President, Donald Trump, on Saturday, promised four countries 638 million dollars in order to aid feeding of those facing starvation because of drought and conflict in North East Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.

“With this new assistance, the United States is providing additional emergency food and nutrition assistance, life-saving medical care, improved sanitation, emergency shelter and protection for those who have been affected by conflict,” USAID said in a statement.

Trump’s pledge came during a working session of the G20 summit of world leaders in Hamburg, Germany, the UN World Food Programme (WFP), Executive Director, David Beasley, said on the sidelines of the meeting, according to Reuters.

And according to Rob Jenkins who is the Acting Head, Bureau of Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance at the U.S. Agency for international development (USAID), “121 million dollars would go to Nigeria. More than 191 million dollars would go to Yemen, 199 million dollars to South Sudan and nearly 126 million dollars for Somalia.”
Trump’s announcement followed after his administration proposed sharp cuts in funding for the U.S. State Department and other humanitarian missions as part of his “America First” policy. From the reports gathered, Washington promised 252 million dollars to Southern Ethiopia but the needs however continue to grow.

Correspondent: Olayiwola A. Ridwan