Hunger and ReliefAccording to the United Nations, the worst drought in 60 years in the Horn of Africa has sparked a severe food crisis and high malnutrition rates, with parts of Kenya and Somalia experiencing pre-famine conditions. More than 10 million people are now affected in drought-stricken areas of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda and the situation is deteriorating.
A U.N. map of food security in the eastern Horn of Africa shows large swathes of central Kenya and Somalia in the "emergency" category, one phase before what the U.N. classifies as catastrophe/famine -- the fifth and worst category.
According to a UN report, Child malnutrition rates in the worst affected areas are more than double the emergency threshold of 15 percent and are expected to rise further, and high mortality rates among children are reported.
More than half the Somali children arriving in refugee camps in Kenya or living elsewhere in Northern Kenya are malnourished.
In this program, we:
- are mobilizing volunteers [skilled and unskilled] to support the efforts of our partners in Northern Kenya, and in Kakuma and Daadab refugee camps. In particular, we are appealing for volunteer Nutritionists, Nurses, Medical doctors, and Logisticians to come in and assist the various local organizations in the region.
- implement an Emergency Nutrition Program in Ijara District (North Eastern Province-Kenya) benefitting1000 families
- implement a Rapid Response Relief Program in partnership with partners in Northern Kenya
