The United States government has earmarked about $533 million in humanitarian assistance to Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and other countries in the Lake Chad region.

The US Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson made the announcement while speaking at George Mason University in Virginia shortly before setting off on his tour of some African countries.

Mr. Tillerson, who is expected to visit Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria said his trip would focus mainly on counter-terrorism, democracy, governance, trade and investment.

He said millions of Africans were facing life threatening food insecurity and malnutrition as a result of the numerous ongoing and protracted conflicts or prolonged drought in their countries.

Tillerson said: “Today, I’m announcing $533 million in additional assistance to fight famine and food insecurity and address other needs resulting from conflicts in Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia and the Lake Chad Basin.

“The alarming levels of hunger in these areas are largely man-made, as conflicts erupt and people flee their homes. Under these conditions, people cannot produce crops and often lose access altogether to food, education and healthcare, many lose everything.

“And regrettably, Mother Nature can still be cruel, such as in the Horn of Africa, where prolonged drought is contributing to grave food insecurity.”

Tillerson added that the additional funds would provide emergency food, nutrition assistance and other aid which include drinking water and health programmes which would help to prevent the spread of deadly diseases like Cholera.

While expressing optimism that the gesture would encourage others to help in meeting the humanitarian needs in Africa, Tillerson said although the assistance would not solve the ongoing conflicts, it would buy the US time to pursue lasting diplomatic solutions to the crises.

Out of the announced funds, more than $128 million is for affected populations from Nigeria and countries in the Lake Chad region. About $184 million is for affected South Sudanese populations, $110million will go to  affected populations in Ethiopia while more than $110 million has been earmarked for affected populations in Somalia.