ADRA Meets Urgent Needs in East Africa
13th July 2011
Wahroonga, New South Wales - More than 10 million people are without enough food or water as a result of severe droughts throughout east Africa. In response, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Australia is supporting efforts to provide food and water to those worst affected.
The drought, which is considered the worst to hit the region in decades, is a result of failed seasonal rains throughout 2010 and 2011. Significant rains, relied upon to replenish drinking supplies, top-up irrigation reserves and water the arid soil, have not fallen for more than twelve months.
With support from ADRA Australia and other ADRA offices around the world, ADRA Somalia and ADRA Kenya are acting to provide food and water to more than 25,000 affected people.
ADRA Australia has opened the East Africa Drought Appeal to support this response. Donations can be given via ADRA's secure website or by calling 1800 24 ADRA (2372).
In Somalia, ADRA is targeting 19,000 people living in pastoral communities by providing clean water and basic equipment including jerry cans, sleeping mats and mosquito nets. Those most impacted by the project will be women, children and elderly people who are unable to move with animals in search of pasture and water.
In eastern Kenya, where the impact of the drought is most severe, ADRA is installing large tanks at two schools and a health-care facility, ensuring thousands will have access to life-saving water.
Additionally, ADRA Kenya is providing two months food supply to 200 families with young children. The emergency food packs will include flour, beans, oil and salt, along with fortified soy-milk for infants.
In the previous twelve months ADRA Australia has supported responses to emergencies including the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, Christchurch earthquake and Pakistan floods. In addition, ADRA Australia has responded to national emergencies including the south-east Queensland floods, Cyclone Yasi and the Perth bushfires.
Donations towards ADRA Australia's East Africa Drought Appeal will be used to support ADRA's activities in Kenya and Somalia. Any excess funds will be used to responsed to future emergencies such as this around the world. Donate securely online or free-call 1800 24 ADRA (2372).
ADRA Australia is a Christian aid and humanitarian organisation that empowers communities and changes lives. ADRA Australia works with people in poverty and distress to create just and positive change through empowering partnerships and responsible action.
To keep up-to-date with ADRA's work at home and overseas connect with us on Facebook.
...
Return to News RoomMedia Enquiries:
Braden Blyde
p 02 9489 5488
m 0407 172 305
e news@adra.org.au
www.adra.org.au
