Plan launches East Africa food crisis appeal

A worker tries to lift up a weak cow from among the carcasses of drought-stricken animals in Kenya.
Photo: Reuters/Thomas Mukoya, courtesy of www.alertnet.org

27 October 2009: Plan has launched an emergency appeal for US$720,000 to help ease food shortages in East Africa, as the region faces its worst drought in almost a decade.

Experts say the livelihood and survival of 28,000,000 people in parts of Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda, is being threatened by the lack of rain and failing crops.

Please donate to the appeal today.

Threatening survival

One of the worst-affected areas is the north east of Kenya where 3 years without rain has left the scorched landscape littered with the carcasses of dead livestock. About 70% of the herds of cattle and goats have died in the past year, threatening the survival of entire communities who depend on them for their food and income.

Plan Kenya Country Director John Morris says the situation is serious with long-term implications on the availability of food and water, particularly for vulnerable communities and children.

“In some parts of Kenya children under 6 have never seen rain fall. This clearly shows what a major long term challenge we face due to climate change,” John said.

Flood fear

Climate change is also having an impact on other parts of the region where rains have began to fall. Areas of Uganda are now facing flooding as the water runs off the scorched land, compounding the food shortage situation.

In Ethiopia, Plan’s Operation Manager Dr Issa Kipera says their priority is the impact of food shortages on already vulnerable and malnourished children.
 
“As an immediate measure, Plan will provide food to government feeding centres and assist in training health professionals to help manage outbreaks of diarrhoea and cholera,” he said.

Based on the results of a rapid assessment Plan recently carried out in the region, the response in the short-term will be focused on filling in gaps in seed provision, nutritional and disease surveillance and school feeding. A longer term response will be informed by a full assessment later in the year.