Sir, – The Horn of Africa region is facing a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions as drought and displacement threaten the lives of more than nine million people in desperate need of humanitarian aid: 3.2 million in Ethiopia, 117,000 in Djibouti, 2.6 million in Somalia and 3.2 million in Kenya.
The migration of 1,700 people per day fleeing Somalia into Ethiopia and Kenya (a UNHCR estimate) is exacerbating availability of food and water for the indigenous populations who are already in the middle of the severest drought in 50 years.
The prolonged La Nina conditions in the region have affected a second consecutive rain season resulting in a prolonged drought. The drought has led to substantial harvest failure, a decrease in water availability, deteriorating pasture conditions and livestock losses in the pastoral and agro-pastoral parts of the country.
Aid agencies such as UNICEF and Trócaire have issued immediate appeals for assistance to alleviate the suffering. Even in these times of austerity there is great need to be cognisant of the plight of so many vulnerable people and the conditions they are facing. In context, a €5 donation would feed a severely malnourished child for nearly a month thereby ensuring their survival. Without access to nutrition, a child is likely to fall ill to opportunistic infections, and a humanitarian crisis could turn into a catastrophic epidemic. – Yours, etc,