East Africa drought relief update

The latest news on the famine/ drought in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia

Thanks to World Vision's generous supporters the aid agency is continuing to save lives and livelihoods in East Africa. Its current activities include:

• Distributing therapeutic food, in partnership with the World Food Programme
• Improving water and sanitation by trucking in water, rehabilitating wells, and providing water storage tanks
• Providing assistance for refugees and displaced families in camps
• Supporting agriculture by providing seeds for farmers and food for livestock
• Promoting practices to make land more drought-resistant

Ironically, heavy rain has recently hampered humanitarian operations in Kenya and Somalia. In Kenya, 15 people have died due to flooding and some 80,000 people have been displaced. The rain has also led to an increase in malaria.

Below is summary of World Vision's activities in the three countries most severely impacted by the drought: Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.

Kenya

In Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya - the largest such camp in the world -World Vision has coordinated the distribution and assembly of 5,000 tents provided by ShelterBox.

In late October, cases of cholera began to emerge in the camp. World Vision partnered with other organisations to respond. It set about identifying cases of the infectious disease, distributing hygiene kits, constructing latrines and providing hygiene training.

Additionally, World Vision has been working to improve drought resistance in Kenyan communities by providing water storage tanks, planting trees, and setting up irrigation systems.

Somalia

The United Nations officially declared famine in six regions of Somalia back in July when a lack of rain and soaring food prices resulted in dangerously high malnutrition rates. At one stage, the UN estimated 53 percent of the population was in danger of starvation.

The number of affected regions has since fallen to three, but more than a quarter of a million Somalis are still at risk of starvation because military battles are preventing food deliveries.

World Vision has worked in Somalia since 1992, but in 2010, armed groups demanded most aid organisations leave the south-central part of the country. World Vision is still able to work in some parts of Somalia, but cannot access the epicentre of the famine. Instead it works through local partner aid agencies which can.

Since famine was declared, more than 700,000 Somalis have fled to refugee camps in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia.

In recent weeks, rain has brought relief to some parts of Somalia. However, many people will continue to rely on aid until the next harvest which is still some months away.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, World Vision is distributing emergency food, drinking water, mattresses, blankets and cooking utensils. It is also providing seeds for crops and training community members in bee-keeping.

Treatment is being administered to malnourished children with medical complications and supplementary food given to pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

In the Dolo Ado refugee camp, World Vision is building semi-permanent schools and providing teacher training. These schools allow children to continue their learning and maintain some sense of normalcy in their lives.

How can you get involved?

• You can donate to World Vision's ongoing work in East Africa here.

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