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Pope Makes Second Appeal for Horn of Africa

Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
11 Oct 2011

 

Food shortages in Kenya put further strain
on relief efforts

Pope Benedict XVI has made his second appeal on behalf of the 13.5 million men, women and children at risk of starvation in nations across the drought-stricken Horn of Africa.

Meeting with the Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, Bishop Giorgio Bertin, and the President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Cardinal Robert Sarah, which oversees Catholic aid and development organisations such Caritas, the Holy Father expressed his concern at the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.

"I renew my heartfelt appeal to the international community to continue its commitment to these people," he urged. "At the same time, I invite everyone to offer prayers and concrete support to so many sorely-tried brothers and sisters, particularly the children in the area who are dying every day."

The Pontiff's latest appeal comes on the heels of a report by Caritas of the deteriorating situation in urban environments across Kenya.

Until now, the worst hit areas have been war-torn Somalia which was declared an official famine by the United Nations two months ago, and areas of Ethiopia. But with the rising cost of food globally and the lack of food availability at local markets, the catastrophe has spread to Kenya's towns and cities which were once thought to be out of the danger zone.

 

Starving stock are dying of thirst and starvation
as farmers struggle with the ongoing drought

Since the crisis began, Kenya has played host to hundreds of thousands of starving refugees from Somalia and Ethiopia in camps across its northern borders. But with food shortages impacting Kenya itself, there is now mounting concern as the crisis continues to worsen.

"There are reports coming out of the region that the numbers of severely malnourished children is growing," says Jack de Groot, CEO of Caritas Australia.

Last week the Australian government announced that through its AusAid program, it would match funds raised by foreign aid and development agencies such as Caritas on a dollar for dollar basis for the next two months.

In light of this, Mr de Groot has called on the Australian community to support the Government's initiative and to get behind the people of Kenya and East Africa.

"There is hope for people in the region but we must act quickly," he urged.

 

Lining up for food in Dadaab, North Kenya's
sprawling refugee camp

Caritas has a strong presence in Kenya and currently, as part of its emergency response to the situation, has fed more than 79,000 people, provided access to fresh clean water to 5000 people and 15,000 livestock and begun an agricultural education program with 17,000 local farmers to help prevent such crises in the future.

In Somalia where civil war rages and Islamic al Qaeda inspired militias attack men, women and children fleeing the country in search of food, aid workers with Caritas risk their lives to distribute food and water to more than 80,000 desperate people. In Ethiopia, Caritas is also on the ground and so far emergency food has been supplied to 200,000 and given a further 376,000 access to clean water.

"But the sheer geographical scale of this crisis means more be done urgently as well as much more money raised if we are to save the lives of millions of children and adults," Mr de Groot says.
 
The AusAid dollar for dollar offer will end on 30 November and is only open to individual donations not to funds given by corporate sponsors or philanthropic organisations.

 

Weak exhausted and starving Somalis make
the long trek in search of help

In responding to the crisis, Pope Benedict XVI has personally donated $(AU)80,000. In addition under his direction a further 60 million euros ($AU 80 million) has given to the aid effort through the Vatican's Pontifical Council Cor Unum.

The Australian Government has also given $110 million in funds to help those suffering from malnourishment and malnutrition across the Horn of Africa.

The nations affected by the worst drought in more than 60 years where rains are not expected to arrive for another five months include Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Northern Kenya and Southern Sudan.

"It is the worst humanitarian disaster we have seen in six decades but if we don't act quickly it may end up as one of the worst humanitarian catastrophes of all time," Mr de Groot warns.

 

To find out more log on to Caritas at www.caritas.org.au/eastafricacrisis or call 1800 024 413.

 

Pope Makes Second Appeal for Horn of Africa
11 October 2011
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