African Union must show leadership before it's too late, says World Vision

Thursday, August 25, 2011

As the African Union meets in Ethiopia today for a pledging conference to tackle the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa, aid agency World Vision said time was running out for hundreds of thousands of children across the region. 

“The African Union and others in the international community were informed late last year that a severe drought was on its way,” said World Vision spokesperson in Addis Ababa, Njeri Kinyoho. 

“Women like Gaalo Adan Ali, a Somali mother of nine, need urgent help. Gaalo suffered two consecutive dry seasons and lost two of her children on a 15 day trek to Puntland in northern Somalia to find food. 

“We need to see action now on pledges of funding and ensure the money is spent to help those children most in need.” 

Across the Horn of Africa there are approximately 2.3 million acutely malnourished children. 

As well as increasing pledges to help meet the US$1.3 billion dollar funding gap for the total USD$2.4 billion needed, World Vision said it was important the leaders of the member states made sure resources continued to flow to help communities build resilience to future droughts. 

World Vision’s development work has already proved that investment in irrigation, agriculture and markets helps villagers cope with drought conditions that cause children to die in communities where no such investment has been made. 

“More attention needs to be paid to giving long-term help to families and communities to ensure they can withstand shocks such as droughts,” Ms Kinyoho said. 

“To build food security within the region, today’s African Union meeting needs to focus on forming partnerships between countries, regional institutions and humanitarian organisations to link long-term development efforts with humanitarian assistance. 

“Comprehensive national food policies and other food security strategies do exist but many regional and national agreements have not been fully implemented. Countries need to live up to their promises.” 

World Vision has been responding to the food and drought crisis in East Africa since February this year. The organisation is currently helping more than 2.5 million people in the three most affected countries of Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. World Vision also has plans to assist more than 400,000 people who need food aid in Tanzania. 

If Australians would like to donate to World Vision Australia’s East Africa Emergency Appeal they can call 13 32 40 or visit www.worldvision.com.au. 

ENDS 

World Vision spokespeople are available for interviews. Please contact World Vision Australia media officer Sacha Myers on 0457 926 018 for more information. 

Media Releases, Emergencies, Africa, Africa, Disaster relief, Drought, Ethiopia, Famine, Foreign Aid, International Development

Back to all Results