US sends $60 million in rapid assistance to Tunisia to ease its suffering of its citizens.
In response to the severe economic shocks that have beset the North African country and been made worse by the war in Ukraine, the United States is providing $60 million in “rapid assistance” to aid suffering Tunisian families.
According to the U.S. State Department, the grant from USAID would enable UNICEF to provide direct assistance to Tunisia’s most disadvantaged citizens, including financial aid for school-related expenses.
“The United States continues to stand with the Tunisian people as they grapple with an ongoing economic crisis at home and confront food insecurity exacerbated by Russia’s aggression in Ukraine,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
The $60 million in aid is on top of ongoing U.S. support.
Tunisia is embroiled in a crisis in public finances and a severe goods shortages that has left long lines for fuel and other imports.
Additionally, the country’s foreign exchange reserves have decreased and inflation has increased. Although it is uncertain if the government can undertake the reforms demanded by the international funding group, it is trying to clinch a rescue agreement with the IMF.
The COVID-19 pandemic, harsh weather, as well as instability from the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February, have all contributed to a rising worldwide food crisis that has caused hundreds of thousands of people to be starving or to face hunger in parts of Africa and elsewhere.
Meanwhile, thousands of Tunisians have sought to migrate to the European Union via Belgrade in search of asylum, according to a report.
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