EU announces close to €140m for economic, political reforms in Somalia

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BRUSSELS: The EU will inject close to 140 million euros to Somalia this year to support political and economic reforms and bolster the country’s resilience in light of adverse climate change effects.

EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen announced on Thursday that the 27-member bloc will be increasing its allocation to Somalia and the Horn of Africa region, in general, this year.

The bulk of this funding will go to economic reforms and climate change resilience building.

“The EU will also disburse €13.5 million in budget support to sustain Somalia’s political momentum to engage in reforms as well as a €125 million package for 2022 in order to support state-building, economic reforms and resilience and climate change actions,” a statement from the EU noted.

Urpilainen said the EU was stepping up support to the Horn of Africa Initiative from €162 million euros to €430 million in 2022, in particular on resilience and food security.

The Horn of Africa Initiative is a regional integration bringing together Djibouti, Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.

The increased funding from the EU comes at a time Somalia is battling a severe drought with early signs of famine being reported in several parts of the country.