A mother and child affected by the food crisis in Ethiopia
Stories of hope
With World Vision's support lives have been changed even in the most difficult circumstances
Read the stories below to learn more about how, with your support, World Vision can continue to work in emergency situations providing help and assistance to the most vulnerable.
Food crisis puts millions at risk
According to United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), three million children are affected by the current food crisis in the Greater Horn of Africa. Already suffering from widespread erratic rainfall, the situation in the Horn of Africa is exacerbated by increased fuel and food prices. The resulting severe food shortages threaten the wellbeing of some 14 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda.The food crisis is most dire in Ethiopia, where 6.4 million people now need urgent assistance. The majority of farmers in Ethiopia have experienced a series of poor harvests, resulting from the repeatedly insufficient rainfall and agricultural overuse that had degraded the soil. Since 80 per cent of the families live off the land, the poor harvests have disastrous consequences.
In Kenya, the post-election violence earlier this year has intensified the food crisis. With 66,000 people still displaced and living in temporary camps, many farmers were not able to plant their crops. The recurring drought further contributed to the latest food shortages, forcing 1.2 million people to rely on emergency food until the next harvest.
The abnormally harsh dry season and the recent intensification of conflict have created a desperate situation in Somalia as well. The cost of water, for example, is rising out of control. The sum that bought a gallon of water in July is now barely enough for a cup. Up to 40 per cent of the families are struggling to survive.
World Vision increases the response
Before the food crisis, World Vision was focusing on passing on techniques to increase crop production in the long term. Responding to the present crisis, World Vision has opened up feeding centres across the region, assisting primarily the children in need. Health centres also specialise in supplementary feeding. World Vision has also implemented new projects to provide safe clean water to vulnerable communities.
Acute malnutrition rates are soaring: in northern Kenya and in Somalia, 25 per cent of children are severely malnourished, while in Ethiopia 126,000 children are in urgent need of therapeutic care.
Clinics help malnourished children
One-year-old Konjit Guidisa is one of 1,300 malnourished children who have received help from the Shone Health Centre set up by World Vision in the heart of Ethiopia. When she was admitted, she weighed less than half the normal weight of children her age.
“I came to the clinic crying. This baby was dying,” said her aunt Bekelech, who also raises four children of her own. She has problems feeding them. “We have a small piece of land, and I planted some maize but the crop was burned by the sun. I do not have any food at home,” she said.
Konjit has recovered and is ready to be discharged. Her aunt will bring her back once a week for review and for supplementary food supplies. But Bekelech is worried about the health of her older children.
World Vision is working in partnership with governments, the UN and other humanitarian agencies to respond to the emergency.
