Foodgrains Bank Responds to East Africa Drought
After two years of failed rains, 10 million people affected by worst drought in 60 years.
Although images of emaciated children have only recently hit the news, Canadian Foodgrains Bank member agencies are already responding to the severe drought affecting parts of Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Somalia.
Since May, the Foodgrains Bank, a partnership of 15 churches and church agencies working together to end global hunger, has committed $2.4 million to help over 46,000 people affected by the crisis.
“The Foodgrains Bank has been monitoring the situation over the past months and is already working with people in need,” says Joan Barkman, who directs the Foodgrains Bank International Program.
“We have a strong presence in Ethiopia and Kenya,” she adds, noting that “we are looking for ways to reach even more people.”
According to the World Food Program, 10 million people in the region require food assistance because of the drought, caused by lack of rain over the past two years. The drought is the worst to hit the area in 60 years.
Foodgrains Bank Response
Foodgrains Bank member agencies are responding:
In Ethiopia’s drought-prone Coro district, Canadian Lutheran World Relief is supporting 18,350 people with over 1,900 tonnes of food, including wheat, beans, oil, and famix, a supplementary food product. Cyclical drought in this area, coupled with total failure of rain this year, has dried up water sources and damaged crops. Food will be distributed freely to those in need and through food for work projects that aim to conserve the area’s natural resources.
In Kenya, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee is spearheading a project that is supporting 17,500 people from pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities with staple crop seeds and food support. Members from the community are also being encouraged to work together on drought mitigation.
Pastoralists hardest hit
According to Sam Vander Ende, Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s field representative in Ethiopia, sparsely populated pastoralist areas are some of the hardest hit.
“After a couple of seasons of failed rains the cattle have nothing to graze on and they die, leaving their owners with nothing” says Vander Ende.
Mennonite Central Committee Canada is supporting a goat restocking project in Kenya. The goats are distributed through community groups and will benefit 2,000 vulnerable households.
Longer-term projects
In addition to these new projects, long-term projects operated by Foodgrains Bank member agencies are also responding to needs for food in the region. For the last five years, Mennonite Central Committee has been supporting communities in Kenya through sand dam projects that capture water from seasonal rainfall. This water, which is normally lost in flash floods, is being used for irrigation and consumption.
Due to the drought, many people who used to work on the sand dams are now spending all their time in search of food. To keep the sand dam projects going, workers are being paid with food. Now two needs are being met: immediate access to food, and longer-term access to water.
Barkman says that these responses may just be the beginning of more projects to help people in the region.
“We are very concerned about the drought, and will continue to monitor the situation and do what we can to help,” she says.
Canadians who want to help people in those countries can give by calling 1-800-665-4229, by donating online, or by sending a cheque to Box 767, Winnipeg, Man. R3C 2L4. Donations should be marked for East Africa Drought.
Emily Cain
Communications Officer
Canadian Foodgrains Bank
400-393 Portage Ave. (Portage Place Mall)
Box 767
Winnipeg, MB R3C 2L4
204.926.4233
e_cain@foodgrainsbank.ca
www.foodgrainsbank.ca
