East Africa Food Crisis

Right now, 22 million people across East Africa are in need of urgent help. They are facing a drought and famine that has been called “the greatest humanitarian threat in the history of the United Nations.”

The current crisis is especially difficult for women who are facing higher threats of sexual violence. Makena, Head of Programs for ActionAid in Kenya told us, “Women are having to trek longer distances to find water, in many cases they are walking an average of five and a half miles or more to find water. Women have said they feel vulnerable to being targeted in sexual attacks.” She continues “Women have also told us that they are no longer going into the forest to collect firewood because they fear attacks.”

This fear of attack is especially difficult for mothers, many of whom are forced to choose between caring for their kids and walking miles to try and find water that may not be there.

One such mother is Hodan from Somaliland. Hodan, is the mother of a baby girl and depends on her livestock for food and income. When the drought began, her flock of 40 sheep died leaving her with only 2 cows to make ends meet. When the cows are strong enough to make milk, Hodan sells it and uses the money to buy food for herself and her daughter.

To get water she must walk for miles with her daughter on her back, risking violence and fatigue. She loves her child deeply, often only eating one meal per day to ensure enough food is left for her daughter.

“If the drought continues I am scared my daughter might die. All the parents have that fear that if the drought continues their babies could die from hunger or shortage of water.”

Despite these challenges, Hodan is an incredibly strong woman. She has partnered with ActionAid as we provide food and water to 400 vulnerable families in her community. We are distributing rice, flour, dates, sugar, oil, powdered milk and more to ensure that mothers like Hodan can care for themselves and their children.

To date, ActionAid has supported over 128,600 people across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somaliland. We have worked with local women leaders to identify the most vulnerable households, and provide food, water, and hygiene kits to keep families healthy. We have also partnered with schools to provide feeding programs for kids, and encourage families to keep their children in school during this difficult time.

Thank you for your ongoing support of this project, we couldn't to this important work without you.

Links:

• https://www.actionaidusa.org/