US, UK sign a $ 10 million agreement to launch a drought response activity in Somalia through BRCiS consortium

Today the United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) signed a Development Cooperation Agreement to launch a $10 million food security and famine prevention program through the Building Resilient Communities in Somalia (BRCiS) consortium.

The co-financing arrangement, USAID’s $4 million and FCDO’s $6 million contribution, aims to address chronic food insecurity and strengthen the resilience of marginalized Somali communities.

Severe drought, compounded by conflict in Somalia has affected more than 8.3 million people, devastating livelihoods and displacing more than a million people.

This unprecedented crisis is driven by the impacts of five consecutive seasons of poor rainfall, conflict, disease outbreaks and exceptionally high food prices. Without action, 1.8 million children under 5 will be malnourished, including more than half a million who could be at risk of death by June 2023.

This strategic partnership between the UK and US, the second phase of funding to BRCiS, will enable the consortium to address the rapidly increasing drought needs by delivering a package of lifesaving and resilience services, such as health and nutrition treatment, access to water, and emergency food assistance over a 5-month period.

The integrated response further aims to accelerate recovery through the adoption of market-based approaches to increase the supply and demand of nutritious foods and to improve sustainable access to water through supply-side interventions with the private sector.

This will ensure 61,000 people receive emergency food assistance (multi-purpose cash); 260,000 individuals have access to clean water and sanitation; 358,000 people are provided with hygiene promotion and disease prevention services; and 211,000 individuals receive lifesaving health and nutrition services.

Ted Lawrence, Acting Mission Director representing USAID, said: “USAID and UK Aid have a long history of productive cooperation in Somalia. Our strategic partnership continues to deliver critical support to the Government and people of Somalia.

USAID’s $4 million contribution to the BRCiS consortium will provide access to clean water and nutrition services to some of the worst drought affected communities.

This support is a critical part of our broader strategy of building the resilience of marginalized communities in Somalia to recurring climatic shocks.”

Damon Bristow, Development Director of the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office said: “The crisis in Somalia is at a tipping point.

It is critical that we continue to work together to scale up lifesaving services and promote resilience activities that reinforce the humanitarian response and build national adaptation capacities. The UK is committed to this vision and pleased to announce our continued cooperation with the US through this $6 million contribution to the BRCiS consortium.”