$1 Million Appeal to Combat Drought in Africa
Millions of lives are at risk due to the worst drought to hit Somalia, Kenya and the Horn of Africa in 60 years.
According to Azmat Akbar, a Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) field representative near the border of Somalia in Garissa, Kenya, the villages he visited lack water and water borne diseases are rampant.
According to the HHRD team, the price of food has risen 200% whereas clean drinking water is out of reach for the needy. He describes that livestock is dead and the 55% of Kenyans are dependent on it.
HHRD has distributed 400 food packages to 400 families. Each package is enough for 5-6 people per family and will last for 15 days, it says.
HHRD has been working in Africa not only for emergency relief but also building long-term capacity through Health programs, in-kind donation projects, Orphan Sponsorship Program in Somalia and Kenya, and the Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) program that includes the construction of hand pumps, bore holes, water pumps, sanitation facilities and shallow wells with some new well drilling techniques and innovations in rainwater storage to prevent the recurrence of famine in the future.
It has established water projects in Wajir, the largest province in Kenya and 4 water wells in Makaror, Godade, Barwaqo and Halane each.
The Dadaab Refugee Camp, is now the world’s largest with a capacity of 200,000 is now housing 380,000 starving and thirsty refugees. HHRD’s emergency plan included shelter (tents), water, food, clothing, medical supplies and an in-kind donation campaign.
It is collecting packaged food items, mosquito nets, medicines, personal hygiene kits, small tents, etc. There are 8 collection points across the U.S. For a detailed list of in-kind donation items and collection centers, visit www.hhrd.org. Currently, Helping Hand is reaching out with the “1 million dollar appeal”.
According to HHRD, it is a 4-star Charity Navigator nonprofit and a member of InterAction.org.
