The Horn of Africa Conference 2023: High-level pledging event for the humanitarian response in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia
24 May 2023, New York
Statement by H.E. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN
Distinguished Co-chairs, Excellencies, Colleagues,
I would like to thank the co-organizers of today’s event and reaffirm that Estonia remains committed to doing its part to address the humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa. While it is a humanitarian situation that demonstrates the multiplying effects of several, overlapping triggers of a humanitarian crisis – from climate to conflict, it also calls for an approach that combines all the instruments we have – political, humanitarian, development, and climate related.
As long-standing and deepening crisis, it also shows the need for mainstreaming and scaling-up anticipatory action, which helps to preserve long-term development gains and increase local resilience.
We cannot ignore of the devastating global impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The lives of the most vulnerable are the price to pay for Russia’s colonial ambitions pursued in violation of international law and the UN Charter.
Let me reaffirm that Estonia continues to provide assistance globally to react to urgent needs wherever they arise. Estonia’s regular contributions to World Food Program, UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, UN Central Emergency Response Fund, UNICEF and UNHCR help to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa. Estonia contributed to the Grain from Ukraine program in 2022 and continues to support the livelihoods of refugees in Kenya.
At this conference, Estonia is glad to confirm that it will contribute 40 000 EUR to UN Central Emergency Response Fund for anticipatory action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa and 40 000 EUR combined to the Humanitarian Funds for Ethiopia and Somalia.
Thank you.