About the Emergency
By the Numbers
4 million people are still food-insecure in Somalia
Some 2.2 million people in Kenya are in need of food aid
3.2 million people across Ethiopia need food assistance
(Source: United Nations, USAID, World Food Programme)
Millions of people across East Africa are still suffering from the effects of the worst drought in 60 years. With malnutrition a chronic problem in the region, more than 13 million people were hit hard by the drought, with Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia among the countries impacted the most severely. Without water, crops failed, livestock died and food prices skyrocketed. Throughout the second half of 2011, famine spread through southern Somalia, taking its highest toll on children. Rains in 2012 began to alleviate the drought, but food remains in short supply. Flooding added to the suffering of displaced families, and illnesses spread rapidly through the weakened population.
Please help Islamic Relief help East Africa by donating today.
How Islamic Relief Is Helping
The Islamic Relief family is collectively responding through the Islamic Relief offices in East Africa, which have been delivering assistance for this particular effort since July 2011. So far, Islamic Relief has helped provide
- Food and supplemental nutrition
- Water and water treatment items
- Medicine and health care services
- Emergency seed packs
- Nutrition and health care for livestock (including protein supplementation and vaccination)
- Fixed water wells
- Latrines
- Hygiene kits
- Cooking and other household items
InterAction has created an integrated map of relief efforts throughout East Africa that cites Islamic Relief’s efforts there.
Click the image to see the map.
Islamic Relief has been working in Kenya since 1993, Somalia since 1998, and Ethiopia since 2000 to help the people there who have lived under dire conditions for decades.
Visit our Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia pages to learn about specific efforts in each of these countries.
Through your support, Islamic Relief has helped hundreds of thousands of people throughout the region.
Reports, Briefings, Campaigns and More
Islamic Relief USA published these reports and hosted these briefings to inform the community of the situation, and to help garner support for humanitarian efforts:
- Horn of Africa Crisis Briefing on Capitol Hill Hosted by Islamic Relief USA
Speakers from several organizations, including InterAction, Mercy Corps, Refugees International joined Islamic Relief USA and Congressman Keith Ellison on Dec. 1, 2011, to discuss the crisis throughout East Africa. The briefing, hosted by Islamic Relief USA, was held on Capitol Hill. More information is available here.
- #FWD the Facts Campaign
Islamic Relief USA was selected by the Obama Administration to help lead a faith-based awareness campaign in the United States about the humanitarian crisis affecting East Africa. Islamic Relief USA’s CEO Abed Ayoub participated in a conference with faith-based and community groups about the campaign in early November 2011—speaking on behalf of the Muslim-American community, Ayoub cited the efforts of Islamic Relief USA and its community in helping alleviate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people. Ayoub also presented key plans for continued work in the region. Read “Islamic Relief USA Partners with USAID for Horn of Africa FWD Campaign” to learn more about Islamic Relief USA’s involvement.
- “Dreaming in Nairobi”
IRUSA’s Reem El-Khatib writes from the field about coming together, helping others and dreaming big in Nairobi, Kenya.
- “The Somali Difference”
IRUSA’s Reem El-Khatib writes from the field about her experience in Mogadishu, Somalia.
- “Unimaginable Inner Strength in Mogadishu”
IRUSA’s Anwar Khan blogs directly from the field in Kenya and Somalia.
- “Read This for Medina, Nour and Fatima”
IRUSA’s Lina Hashem writes about efforts for East Africa and IRUSA’s participation in USAID’s “FWD” campaign.
From the Field
These video and these photos come to you straight from the field.
How You Can Help
Here’s a sample of how your donations can help get vital resources to people in the region:
- About $1 vaccinates and treats one livestock animal in Ethiopia
- About $500 provides three months’ worth of food packs and water for a family of eight in Somalia
- About $19,430 funds the rehabilitation of one deep-water well in Kenya
These are just some of the services we’re able to provide with your donations. There are many more.
