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Millions go hungry in East Africa - Crisis Appeal – 6 Jul 2011

Tearfund is asking people to pray for the situation in East Africa, where more than 10 million people are facing severe hunger as some areas experience the worst drought in 60 years, destroying crops and livestock.

Richard Lister, Tearfund’s Head of Region for East Africa, said, “There has been widespread loss of crops and livestock and the impact of the drought has been worsened by high food prices and, in some areas, conflict. There is a high risk of this crisis becoming critical if rains remain erratic.”

More than 10 million people across the region are facing extreme hunger: 4.9 million in Ethiopia, 3.5 million in Kenya, 2.5 million in Somalia, 600,000 in Uganda and 163,000 in Djibouti.

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Work by Tearfund partners to prepare communities to better withstand drought has been going on for many years, which has helped lessen the impact for many. However, deteriorating climatic conditions this year are taking their toll.

Robert Schofield, Tearfund’s Disaster Management Director, said: “We musn’t forget this is sub-Saharan Africa, which is a challenging environment and this is going to keep happening for some people.

“Climate change means this is going to occur more frequently and will be worse each time, which is why two things are crucial: urgent international action much be taken to address climate change; and investment in long-term disaster risk reduction initiatives, so poor communities are prepared when they are faced with adverse weather conditions.”

To add to the pressure on struggling families, staple food prices have rocketed. Tearfund has been lobbying the G20 leaders recently to tackle high global food prices by protecting the most vulnerable people and building long-term resilience to disasters.

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