USAID works in the East Africa region to mitigate cross-border conflict and provides humanitarian and food assistance to countries in East and Central Africa experiencing disaster, conflict or food insecurity.

Conflict Mitigation

The Horn of Africa and Great Lakes regions are characterized by failed or weakly governed states that are vulnerable to emerging violent ideologies and conflict over natural resources. USAID helps promote the creation of a strong regional framework for conflict mitigation, especially to address cross-border security problems and is strengthening the capacity of African institutions to reduce cross border insecurity.

USAID supports the development of strategies and structures that build capacity to prevent and respond to violence, especially along borders. Regional, cross-cutting interventions seek to address the root causes of instability through improved early warning systems and responsive local, national, and regional leadership. 

Humanitarian Assistance

Through its East and Central Africa Office based in Kenya, USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance responds to humanitarian needs across the region in countries experiencing complex emergencies — characterized by widespread violence and internal displacement — and chronic or recurrent humanitarian challenges, including acute food insecurity, cyclical drought, floods and disease outbreaks.

To assist conflict- and disaster-affected populations, USAID supports the distribution of emergency relief commodities; interventions to increase access to critical health, nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services; and the provision of protection assistance, among other activities.

Food Assistance

USAID's Regional Office of Food for Peace (FFP) supports or directly manages food assistance operations in East and Central Africa. Humanitarian needs - specifically food insecurity - in this region have been rising at an unprecedented rate due to cyclical drought, political insecurity, prolonged conflicts, environmental degradation and disease outbreaks.

FFP works with the United Nations (UN) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide relief and build resilience to chronic shocks among the most vulnerable populations in the region. Programs also aim to reach food-insecure people affected by conflict and displacement, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees and host communities.

FFP staff directly manage food assistance programs in eight countries in the region (Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Tanzania) and provide technical support to six countries that have FFP staff in-country (Burundi, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda).

Fact Sheets

Conflict Mitigation

Countering Violent Extremism (Kenya, Somalia, and East Africa)

PEACE III

Humanitarian Assistance

Humanitarian Assistance in Review (2007 – 2016) - East and Central Africa

Food Assistance

Food for Peace Food Assistance - East and Central Africa