British Red Cross Society – UK
The British Red Cross is providing emergency supplies of water and food in response to the catastrophic drought affecting 11 million people in east Africa.The failure of three successive rains has decimated the harvest and killed thousands of livestock across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. The lack of water is threatening millions of people with some families in the region surviving on just one litre of water a day in soaring temperatures.The British Red Cross is supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – one of the few agencies able to work in conflict-torn southern Somalia.
The ICRC has provided food relief for up to 270,000 people and water to more than 850,000 people. It has also distributed seeds and tools to over 120,000 farmers.
In Ethiopia, the Red Cross has provided food to 24,000 people, as well as tools and seeds to 7,000 families. It has also provided water and veterinary treatment for 124,000 animals.
The British Red Cross is also collaborating with the American Red Cross to transport water and dig boreholes to support more than 60,000 people in southern Ethiopia.
Paul Anticoni, head of international aid at the British Red Cross, said: “The current rainy season will come to an end very soon and recent rainfall remains too low to ensure a successful harvest in July. Our aim now is to ensure people have enough water to survive until the next rainy season in September.”
Source: British Red Cross Society, Apirl 25, 2006
