East Africa crisis appeal
Severe drought across the Horn of Africa has left over 13 million people in urgent need of food, water and basic facilities. Please donate and help continue providing humanitarian aid to the people of East Africa.
Caritas' response
Caritas Australia has a long history of responding to emergencies in East Africa. We provide emergency food supplies, access to clean drinking water and livelihood opportunities to thousands of people in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Kenya
By December 2011, 3.8 million Kenyans were severely affected by drought and in need of assistance. In response, Caritas Australia is implementing a range of short and long-term assistance programs, including:
- Food relief to 40,000 people in Kenya’s worst affected eastern and coastal areas
- Access to water for domestic, livestock and agriculture use for 700 people
- Food, water and sanitation and hygiene facilities for 3,200 households
- Latrines, hygiene kits and a solid waste disposal and drainage system were provided in the Kambioos refugee camp
- Veterinary care for 15,000 cattle to protect people’s livelihoods.
Somalia
By December 2011, 250,000 Somalis were at risk of starvation, 4 million were severely affected and 1.5 million people were internally displaced. In response, Caritas Australia is implementing a range of short and long-term assistance programs, including:
- Food relief to 7,000 people, including 1,400 children
- Supplementary nutrition to over 4,000 new mothers, children and elderly people
- Access to clean water for 70,000 semi-nomadic people in Eastern Somaliland.
Eritrea
Emergency food aid was provided to approximately 50,000 families vulnerable to malnutrition because of severe drought. This support will most likely continue until at least 2013.
Ethiopia
By December 2011, 4.6 million Ethiopians were severely affected by drought. Caritas has helped improve food security, nutrition, income and access to basic services in drought affected eastern, southern and northern Ethiopia. In response, Caritas Australia is implementing a range of short and long-term assistance programs, including:
- Food relief to over 80,000 people
- Veterinary care for cattle to protect the livelihoods of 25,000 households.
Background
Successive seasons of failed rains, combined with increasing food prices, conflict, and in some cases limited humanitarian access, have resulted in food insecurity, water shortages and widespread malnutrition throughout much of the Horn of Africa.
Millions of people, mainly from Somalia have fled to refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia, arriving in shocking health and nutritional condition. One-third of children under 5 in Southern Somalia alone are severely malnourished and the situation has deteriorated so badly that the United Nations (UN) has declared a famine in parts of Somalia.
While above average rainfall across regions of Eastern Africa have improved conditions in areas previously afflicted with drought, excessive water has also caused flooding, damaged crops and population displacement of more than 80,000 people in many areas of Eastern Africa. The drought is not expected to ease until mid to late 2012 and the number of people affected is expected to continue rising. The region’s fragile food security will also continue to deteriorate in the face of below average summer harvests, lack of water, and continued high prices of food, water and fuel.
How you can help
Donate
Your donation will help Caritas Australia continue to provide live-giving aid to the people of East Africa. Donations $2 and over are tax deductible. Donate now
Caritas Australia is mandated to deliver at least 92% of all funds raised in emergencies to the emergency in question.
Fundraise
You can also raise money for the East Africa drought and food crisis fundraising online. Fundraise now