 Aer Lingus cabin crew to ask passengers for donations over the next two weeks UNICEF Ireland has launched an appeal for funding in aid of the escalating humanitarian emergency situation in East Africa. Nearly two million children are at risk of death and disease because of severe drought, conflict and escalating food prices in the region. Aer Lingus cabin crew have already agreed to support the appeal and will be asking passengers for donations over the coming two weeks. The worst affected areas are southern Somalia, southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya, with parts of Djibouti and Uganda also badly affected. The Kenyan Government has declared a national disaster and it is estimated that more than nine million people are impacted by the growing emergency. Parts of East Africa have seen their driest spell for 60 years, leaving pastures barren, water sources dry and livestock starving. This is leading to more and more families crossing from Somalia into Kenya and Ethiopia. It is estimated that over 1,000 Somalis are crossing into Kenya a day with more than 367,000 people already living in Dabaab, the world’s largest refugee settlement. Speaking about the emergency, UNICEF Ireland Executive Director, Melanie Verwoerd appealed to the public for help. “The situation in East Africa is getting worse every day. As well as the ongoing conflicts in the region, the area has had two failed rainy seasons in a row, leading to the driest year since the 1950s in many parts.” “This has created a terrible drought that has led to more than two million children being placed at risk of death or disease. Crops are failing, livestock is dying, there is little by way of clean water and thousands of people are flocking to refugee centres such as Dabaab. There is also little hope that rain will return before September, meaning the situation will only get worse in the coming weeks.” “UNICEF is working to support children affected by the drought and food crisis. As well as treating malnourished children, UNICEF is ensuring that supplies of clean drinking water are available, providing immunisation and ensuring access to proper sanitation in the region.” “We are calling on the Irish people to help us save these malnourished children and provide the water, food and treatments they are missing. Anyone who is interested can help by making a contribution via www.unicef.ie.” “We need your help to reach these children before the emergency gets any worse,” Ms. Verwoerd concluded. |
