A Dutch umbrella association of aid organisations highlights the gravity of the drought crisis in the Horn of Africa and appeals to the public to support victims.
Samenwerkende Hulporganisaties (SHO), an umbrella platform for several humanitarian organisations, has established a charity account (bank giro 555) to receive donations for some ten million people in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia affected by the region’s worst drought in 60 years.
“Millions of people are suffering from famine, the worst in 60 years,” said SHO in a press statement. A spokesman said the average Dutch person is completely unaware of the problem. “We want to call attention to this disaster.”
Crops fail, food prices soar
The drought has caused harvests to fail, cattle to die and food price to soar. The aid organisations expect the crisis to continue for months, as no rains are expected. “Extensive and ongoing help is badly needed,” says SHO.
Overcrowded camps
United Nations refugee agency UNHCR has warned about the dangers of overcrowded camps. Dadaab in Kenya was built to house 90,000 individuals, but could soon be holding 400,000, humanitarian workers say.
Locals, who are also badly affected by the drought, reportedly fear that a new influx of refugees could spell environmental disaster for the arid region.
Aid needed in Somalia
The humanitarian situation in Somalia is particularly wretched. Wracked by 20 years of conflict, the country is worst affected by the drought. Hundreds of people flee each day to neighbouring Ethiopia and Kenya.
The UNHCR is urging aid agencies to start working in Somalia. Many Somalians are too weakened by hunger to walk for weeks seeking help; some malnourished infants are already dying.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres visited the Dadaab refugee complex last Sunday. "I believe Somalia represents the worst humanitarian disaster in the world," he told journalists. "And that is why we need to do everything we can to make it possible to deliver massive humanitarian assistance inside Somalia."
Last week, the militant group al-Shabab, which controls many southern and central areas of Somalia, announced it would lift its ban on humanitarian agencies.
The Dutch government has announced an extra five million euros to combat the famine on top of the 10 million euros Somalia and Ethiopia have already received in aid. Deputy Minister for Development Aid Ben Knapen says he hopes the public will be generous too.
(jn/kh)
© Radio Netherlands Worldwide
Email this Bulletin
Printer-friendly version
"Last week, the militant group al-Shabab, which controls many southern and central areas of Somalia, announced it would lift its ban on humanitarian agencies."...Militant groups are one of the major reasons why people are starving. Take them out and put them in front of the world court for mass murder. Another cause is the United Nations. It is selective in who it goes after. It needs to protect these people and while under it's protection, give the people the training and means to recover. Those people receive very little aid. It is stolen by those militant groups. This crisis does need attention.
It is so scary...we are seven billion on this lil earth..and this crises needs attention..