Updated 2 November 2011
Heavy rains, and flooding in East Africa have negatively impacted the International Relief effort.
Flooding in parts of Somalia has increased the possibility of an outbreak of Water Bourne diseases. In Kenya aid workers are finding it difficult to reach people who require help because the rains destroyed many roads.
The October to December rains were meant to ease the food shortages in the area,
however the rains have further compounded the problems in the region. Health workers across the area are on high alert for an outbreak of a water or vector Bourne disease.
In Somalia the number of people Internally displaced continues to grow, and food shortages are common at the IDP campsites. According to FSNAU, out of an estimated 1.3 million children under age 5 in Somalia, about 450,000 are malnourished, of whom 190,000 suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM).
The region requires a lot of help from the International community. The security situation on the ground is very fragile and the kidnappings of International aid workers on the border between Kenya and Somalia has led to a drop in the International Relief effort.
A closer look at the security situation
The United Nations office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) believes easing food shortages in East Africa is dependent on International aid, and rainfall. However with the heightened security risks to International aid workers the people on the ground are continuing to suffer as less aid reaches them.
On 24 October, two grenade explosions in Nairobi killed one person and injured 23 others. The Government of Kenya has linked the attacks, which occurred just hours apart and in crowded places in the city center, to suspected militants from Somalia who have in the past week issued threats against Kenya following the country’s military incursion into Somalia.
Many aid agencies and The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which comprises six countries in the Horn of Africa region, welcomed Kenya’s military incursion into Somalia and has also petitioned the UN Security Council to impose a blockade on Kismayo port (Somalia) to counter the insurgents.
The World Federation’s Response
Africa Relief is an initiative of The World Federation in partnership with Africa Federation, to help the people of East Africa by providing them with enough food to survive the harsh conditions. In addition Africa Relief is working towards providing medical assistance to the refugees of North Eastern Kenya in the form of health and surgical outreach camps. In addition Africa Relief is working towards providing medical assistance to the refugees of North Eastern Kenya in the form of health and surgical outreach camps.
Africa Relief is currently delivering food to nearly 70,000 people for an entire month. You can help the people of East Africa by gifting them a food parcel that will feed a family of 7 for an entire month. Your donation of £20 GBP / $32 USD-CAD will sponsor one food parcel and will ensure that this family doesn’t face any food insecurity for the duration of this month.
TO DONATE
In Europe, click here
In Canada/USA, click here
Rest of the World, click here
For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org