Ottawa_ Canada announced $19.8 million in new funding today to help millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa ravaged by severe drought and conflict deal with 'extreme levels of food insecurity in Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan and Uganda, Prensa Latina publishes.

Canada's ambassador to the United Nations Marc-André Blanchard said the funding will save lives, alleviate suffering and bring relief to millions in urgent need of assistance.

The funding will be divided among nine humanitarian groups and UN agencies working to respond to critical humanitarian needs in the region such as emergency food, potable water and sanitation systems, healthcare, shelter and protection for vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.

The new funding comes on top of nearly to $120 million in humanitarian funding announced by Canada in March in response to severe food crises in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.

South Sudan famine averted but millions still face hunger

Ottawa will match over $21.3M donated by Canadians for famine relief.

Ordinary Canadians also donated over $21.3 million as part of the Famine Relief Fund matched by the federal government in August in response to humanitarian crises affecting over 55 million people in Yemen and across Africa.

Adverse climatic conditions, a sluggish global economy and conflicts are key factors driving food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the United Nations agriculture agency.

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