The growing humanitarian crisis threatening millions of people in East Africa, including drought and the delivery of humanitarian aid in the face of terrorist movements, was the focus of a congressional hearing today held by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees international human rights and African issues.

    The hearing, entitled “USAID's Long-Term Strategy for Addressing East African Emergencies,” examined U.S. strategy to address humanitarian crises in East Africa, including efforts to help firmly establish a government in the new nation of South Sudan.

    Smith chairs the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, which heard testimony from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other witnesses.

    “The need for this continued focus on the region is apparent given the ongoing, disturbing reports that we are receiving about Sudanese attacks on its Blue Nile State that will drive residents into South Sudan and reports of theft of international food aid,” said Chairman Smith. “We now know that an estimated 13.1 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. Drought and other natural disasters and man-made catastrophes due to conflict have been a persistent story in East Africa. In an era of limited resources, we must encourage adapted lifestyles, develop strategies for delivering aid in conflict areas and enable our partner governments to manage crises more successfully.” Click here to read Chairman Smith’s opening statement

    Rajakumari Jandhyala, Deputy Assistant Administrator at the Bureau for Africa at USAID, detailed U.S. efforts in the region.

    “We have a moral imperative to help to solve the planet’s biggest humanitarian and development challenges, and a very real role in safeguarding the United States’ national security and economic opportunities,” Jandhyala said. Click here to read Jandhyala’s testimony

    The other witnesses who testified were: (click on name to read testimony):

• Katherine Zimmerman, Gulf of Aden Team Lead for the Critical Threats Project at the American Enterprise Institute;
• Kent Hill, Senior Vice President of International Programs at World Vision;
• Shannon Scribner, Humanitarian Policy Manager at Oxfam America.

    Click here to view the hearing webcast (due to a slightly delayed start of hearing, forward to the video’s 17.5 minute mark to skip to the beginning of hearing.)