Millions of people throughout the Horn of Africa are struggling from a critical food emergency primarily due to the worst drought the area has experienced in decades. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), drought is the most common cause of severe food shortages and is one of the most important triggers of malnutrition and famine.

Drought affects the four dimensions of food security—availability, stability, access, and utilization. Experts expect the current situation to deteriorate further over the next few months because of the high cost of food, violent conflict in the area, and crop and livestock loss. As Somali refugees stream into Northern Kenya, we are meeting the needs of the host communities that are suffering from drought and lack of food.

How Samaritan’s Purse is Responding:

• Our tanker trucks are providing clean water for drinking and livestock to Northeastern Kenya.




• The Samaritan’s Purse team in Nairobi is purchasing and distributing food for thousands, in an area south of Garissa.




• We are distributing hygiene kits. The hygiene team trains residents in how to use the kits, hand washing, and other basic hygiene and sanitation practices.




• We are distributing tools for use in our Cash for Work latrine construction program. Not only will this project help with sanitary needs in participating villages, it also gives residents the opportunity to earn an income to buy food for their families.




• We are screening infants and children, and have found as high as 65% affected with malnutrition. In villages with these high rates, we have given out packets of ready-to-use therapuetic food.

How You Can Help:

• Pray: Please pray that the international community is able to launch an effective humanitarian response that will save lives and reduce suffering. Pray for those who have lost family members to starvation and disease, and for an end to the conditions that are causing this catastrophic food shortage.




• Share: Share this webpage on Facebook, Twitter or email to help us spread the word about the needs of the people in the Horn of Africa.

• Donate: Click the button below to give online, or call (828) 262-1980.

Articles:

Read about how Samaritan's Purse is responding to the crisis.

Hunger and Drought
As famine spreads across the Horn of Africa, Samaritan's Purse is supplying food and other aid to thousands of hungry families and malnourished children. (read more…)

Drought and Death
Laurent Trabadello, Regional Manager for Africa and the Americas for our office in Canada, reports about the dire conditions on the ground and how Samaritan’s Purse is helping. (read more…)

Child Screening
Samaritan's Purse is supplying food and other aid to thousands of hungry families and malnourished children in drought-stricken regions. (read more…)

Desperate Needs
Joni Byker blogs about the critical shortage of water. (read more…)

Samaritan's Purse , Kenya , Emergency Relief , Food Crisis in the Horn of Africa