Severe Famine Strikes the Horn of Africa



The Horn of Africa is in the grips of the worst drought and famine in decades . The U.N. says more than 11 million people in the region are in need of food aid. Refugees from Somalia are walking for weeks to reach refugee camps in Kenya to get food and medical aid (NBC). Famine is spreading in the Horn of Africa and may soon engulf as many as six more regions of Somalia, according to the UN humanitarian aid (BBC News). As severe drought continues to sweep across the Horn of Africa, some 3.5 million people in Kenya are expected to need food aid by next month.

With the worst drought in 60 years hitting the Horn of Africa, Bread for the World urges U.S. lawmakers to protect—not cut—international food aid in the ongoing budget debates. The United States must also increase its emergency response to the region and ensure that resources to invest in long-term development are protected. “The current humanitarian response is inadequate to meet emergency needs,” said Faustine Wabwire, foreign assistance policy analyst for Bread for the World Institute.

“Tens of thousands of lives could be saved, but the window of opportunity to do so is extremely limited. A massive, strategic response is critical to prevent death, total loss of livelihood, and social collapse.” About 11.5 million people in the Horn of Africa face a humanitarian emergency—the most serious food insecurity situation in the world today. Currently, U.S. foreign assistance, including emergency food aid, accounts for less than 1 percent of the federal budget. TO READ FULL STORY VISIT: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Bread-for-the-World-Urges PLEASE GUYS REMEMBER TO KEEP THE HORN OF AFRICA IN YOUR PRAYERS, & DO WHAT EVER YOU CAN TO HELP!!!