
The United States has announced over $1 billion in humanitarian and disaster-response assistance, distributed through UNICEF and the World Food Programme WFP. Ethiopia is among more than 40 countries expected to benefit from this funding. The assistance aims to support food security, nutrition, health, water, sanitation, and other humanitarian programs for vulnerable populations affected by conflict, displacement, natural disasters, and other emergencies. Over $218 million will go to UNICEF, and more than $800 million to WFP. This funding is part of grants to trusted humanitarian partners and is intended to support life-saving operations. WFP welcomed the contribution, stating it will strengthen its capacity to respond to hunger crises and emerging emergencies globally. Ethiopia continues to receive support from UNICEF and WFP for food assistance, nutrition services, water and sanitation programs, and emergency responses for populations affected by conflict, drought, and displacement. This allocation is one of the largest US humanitarian funding announcements since a review of aid programs began after President Donald Trump's administration ordered a pause on foreign development assistance in January 2025, gradually resuming selected humanitarian assistance through international organizations.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Reporter Ethiopia.

In its 23rd foreign currency auction since August 2024, the National Bank of Ethiopia NBE recorded a weighted average bid of 158 Birr per US dollar from sixteen commercial banks. This auction, which was postponed from last week, offered USD 100 million, with eight banks submitting successful bids. The lowest successful bid was 157.99 Birr per USD. This amount represents a significant decrease from the previous auction, where the NBE offered USD 500 million. The NBE's foreign currency sales to commercial banks are part of the government's economic reforms and an ongoing IMF program. The next auction, also valued at USD 100 million, is scheduled for June 24, 2026.
Must ReadThe African Finance Corporation AFC has committed $600 million to Dangote Fertilizer Limited's expansion program, which aims to invest a total of $7 billion in projects across Nigeria and Ethiopia. Dangote Group plans to increase its urea production capacity in Nigeria to nine million metric tonnes annually. Additionally, a new fertilizer plant under construction in Ethiopia's Somali Regional State is projected to produce up to three million tonnes annually by 2029. The AFC, a pan-African development finance institution, stated that its investment supports large-scale industrial projects on the continent, emphasizing the importance of expanded local fertilizer production for food security and agricultural resilience. This investment aligns with efforts by African governments to enhance agricultural productivity amidst increasing food demand, climate challenges, and global commodity market disruptions. Aliko Dangote, president and chief executive of Dangote Industries Limited, highlighted that this investment will bolster Africa's agricultural sector and industrial base. Ethiopia signed a membership agreement with the AFC in 2023, which was ratified by its parliament two years later, without an ownership stake at that time.
BreakingIran and the US are scheduled to sign an agreement on Friday that could lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic. The Associated Press reported that the two countries reached an understanding today, with representatives set to meet in Switzerland to formalize the agreement. Pakistani mediators were cited by AP as confirming the development. Iranian deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, confirmed the agreement on state television, and US leader Donald Trump has reportedly ordered an end to his country鈥檚 naval blockade of Hormuz. If implemented, the deal could facilitate the resumption of oil and natural gas shipments from the Gulf. However, ongoing issues such as Israel鈥檚 attacks on Lebanon and US objections to Iran鈥檚 enriched uranium stockpile remain, posing potential threats to the fragile agreement.