WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today in Rome, Italy, at a high-level meeting to discuss the deterioration of conditions in the Sahel region of Africa, USAID announced an additional $33 million in funding to support food needs across the region. The funding will also support programs to protect assets and livelihoods of the most affected and ensure that vital nutrition support is in place before the lean season.

The U.S. government is already responding to the food insecurity situation across the Sahel and continues to assess needs and response options in light of recent displacement caused by violence between Tuareg rebels and the Malian government. Thus far in FY 2012, USAID has provided over $42 million in humanitarian assistance to the countries affected by the crisis. This is in addition to $197.2 million in support to humanitarian and resilience building programs provided in FY 2011, much of which is still ongoing, and is also in addition to USG ongoing long-term efforts to alleviate poverty and promote health and economic growth in the region. This includes 2012 contributions of $36.4 million in food aid to the region, $25.5 million of which was contributed to the World Food Program. USAID's programs are supporting more than 2.5 million people in need across the Sahel.

The U.S. government also remains focused on the longer-term implications of this crisis and in particular efforts to improve the capacity of regional governments to manage and mitigate these emergencies.

To read the joint statement issued by United Nations agencies, the European Commission, and USAID, click here.