SW News: The United States has committed over 524 million USD to help relief efforts in the drought-stricken Horn of Africa during a United Nations donor conference, making it the largest provider of humanitarian assistance to the Somalia Peninsula.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at the pledging conference that the additional USD 524 million would bring the US humanitarian commitment to the region to USD 1.4 billion for the fiscal year ending September 30.

While the funds have helped to avert a famine, 32 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia remain in need of assistance as they face the worst drought in 40 years. When UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres announced the low amount of financing for the United Nations regional humanitarian response plan at the start of the New York donor conference, he termed the situation "unacceptable," as it risked the lives and livelihoods of millions of people.

The United Nations Secretary-General has voiced fear that lives might be lost if emergency operations are not given a considerable financial boost right now.

While "the humanitarian needs in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya are now larger than ever," as Greenfield puts it, "with more than 23.5 million people experiencing severe food insecurity," the US is maintaining its support for the Horn of Africa humanitarian response with this increased funding.

Millions of people have been afflicted by violence, drought, and food insecurity, and the US believes that further aid would help them. Meanwhile, Greenland reported receiving $416 million from USAID and $108 million from the US Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

With 43.3 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya in need of assistance and 21 million of them hungry, the UN asked for $7 billion but only got $1.6 billion.