Biden Earmarks $1 Billion in Humanitarian Aid for Africa

President Joe Biden has promised over $1 billion in aid to displaced Africans.

At a Glance

Biden announces over $1 billion in humanitarian support for Africans affected by droughts and food insecurity.
The aid targets displaced populations in 31 African countries.
The U.S. commits $3 billion to a major railway project in Africa, seen as countering Chinese influence.
Biden emphasizes the importance of long-term investment and partnership with African nations

Biden’s Billion-Dollar Pledge to Africa

President Joe Biden has announced a significant commitment of over $1 billion in humanitarian aid to displaced populations in Sub-Saharan Africa. The announcement came during Biden’s visit to Angola, where he delivered remarks at the National Museum of Slavery in Belas. This massive aid package is aimed at addressing the pressing issues of food insecurity and displacement affecting millions across the African continent.

The funds will be distributed through various U.S. agencies, with nearly $823 million coming from USAID and $186 million from the State Department. An additional $202 million will be provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation. This substantial commitment raises the total U.S. humanitarian assistance to sub-Saharan Africa in Fiscal Year 2024 to nearly $6.6 billion.

During a speech in Angola, Pres. Biden announced over $1 billion in new humanitarian support for Africans displaced from their homes by "historic droughts and food insecurity." https://t.co/qVyp6kas7d pic.twitter.com/wD7WeDSDwM

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) December 3, 2024

Addressing a Growing Crisis

Africa currently has the highest percentage of its population facing hunger, with almost 300 million people affected in 2023. The continent has seen a dramatic increase in displacement, with figures rising sixfold from 2009 to 2023. In Angola alone, 79,000 people were displaced by natural disasters last year.

“The United States continues to be the world’s largest provider of humanitarian aid and development assistance. That’s going to increase. You know, that’s the right thing for the wealthiest nation in the world to do,” Biden said.

The humanitarian crisis in Africa is driven by a complex web of factors, including armed conflicts, extreme weather events, natural disasters, and other emergencies. The Biden administration’s aid package aims to provide crucial support to refugees, internally displaced persons, and affected communities across 31 African countries.

Strategic Investments and Partnerships

Beyond immediate humanitarian aid, the Biden administration is also focusing on long-term strategic investments in Africa. A key initiative is the Lobito Corridor project, a major infrastructure endeavor involving a transcontinental railroad. The U.S. has committed $3 billion to this project, which will connect Angola to Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, facilitating mineral exports and potentially increasing American influence in the region.

“Together, we’re engaged in a major joint project to close the infrastructure gap for the benefit of Angolans, Africans across the continent, Americans, and the world. We’ll all benefit as you benefit,” Biden said.

This investment is seen as a strategic move to counter China’s growing influence in Africa, particularly in critical mineral sectors like cobalt mining. The railway project, described as the largest American rail investment outside the U.S., underscores a shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Africa – from a patron-client relationship to a more equal partnership focused on mutual benefits and shared goals.