Australian aid boost critical as East Africa crisis worsens

World Vision Australia has welcomed the Federal Government's move to boost aid to the crisis in East Africa, warning the famine continues to worsen with 3.3 million people in Somalia now in desperate need of lifesaving assistance. 

It is also estimated that some 1.6 million children under the age of 5 are acutely malnourished in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, and that the risk of disease is increasing as families travel long distances in search of food. 

The new Dollar for Dollar initiative will see the government match individual donations to Australian NGO appeals for East Africa. The new program will start today and will last until 30 November 2011. 

“More lives will be saved in East Africa thanks to the government’s new program,” World Vision Australia CEO Tim Costello said. 

“As of today, if you donate $20 to World Vision Australia’s East Africa Appeal, the government will match your donation dollar for dollar. 

“At a time when some 13 million people in the region are facing severe food shortages, drought and conflict, your support is needed more than ever and can now have double the impact.” 

World Vision has been responding to the emergency since February this year and has so far assisted 1.38 million people in the most affected countries of Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and Tanzania. 

“If you support World Vision, it means children who are acutely malnourished will get live-saving supplements. It means water and food will be delivered to desperate families so they don’t have to leave their villages in search of help,” Rev Costello said. 

“We’re also providing help to keep herds of livestock alive and supplying seeds to restart planting to make the most of the next rains that arrive.” 

The dire situation in East Africa has been caused by a number of factors including drought, rising food prices, food shortages and conflict. 

At least $218 million in new aid for the Horn of Africa was pledged late last month at a United Nations summit. With those pledges, about $500 million is still needed to meet the overall humanitarian appeal for the Horn of Africa of $2.48 billion. 

The government’s new dollar for dollar scheme applies to Australian relief and development organisations that are active and have demonstrated effectiveness in the global response to the crisis in East Africa. It will be capped at $10 million, with $1.5 million caps for each eligible charity. 

ENDS 

Media contact: Sacha Myers, World Vision Media Officer on mobile: 0457 926 018 or email: sacha.myers@worldvision.com.au 

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