Between July 2011 and mid-2012, a severe drought affected the entire East Africa region.
20.07.11
13 millionPopulation Affected
Said to be the worst in 60 years, the drought caused a severe food crisis across Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya that threatened the livelihood of 13 million people. Many refugees from southern Somalia fled to neighboring Kenya and Ethiopia, where crowded, unsanitary conditions together with severe malnutrition led to a large number of deaths. Other countries in East Africa, including Sudan, South Sudan and parts of Uganda, were also affected by a food crisis.
According to FAO-Somalia, the food crisis in Somalia primarily affected farmers in the south rather than the northern pastoralists. On 20 July, the United Nations officially declared famine in two regions in the southern part of the country, the first time a famine had been declared in the region by the UN in nearly thirty years. Tens of thousands of people are believed to have died in southern Somalia before famine was declared.
Weather conditions over the Pacific, including an unusually strong La Niña, have interrupted seasonal rains for two consecutive seasons. The rains failed in 2011 in Kenya and Ethiopia, and for the previous two years in Somalia. The lack of rain led to crop failure and widespread loss of livestock, as high as 40% – 60% in some areas, which decreased milk production as well as exacerbating a poor harvest. As a result, cereal prices rose to record levels while livestock prices and wages fell, reducing purchasing power across the region. Rains were also not expected to return until September of the year.
Below is a list of Canadian charities raising funds to assist with relief efforts.
Click on the charity and then click DONATE to donate.
Minister Oda announces Canada’s response to the humanitarian crisis in East Africa The Government of Canada has announced that, for every dollar donated to a Canadian charity helping with relief efforts, they will allocate a dollar to the East Africa Drought Relief Fund. For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities, Canada will set aside one dollar for the East Africa
Minister Oda announces Canada’s response to the humanitarian crisis in East Africa
Minister Oda announces Canada’s response to the humanitarian crisis in East Africa
The Government of Canada has announced that, for every dollar donated to a Canadian charity helping with relief efforts, they will allocate a dollar to the East Africa Drought Relief Fund.
For every eligible dollar donated by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities, Canada will set aside one dollar for the East Africa Drought Relief Fund. CIDA will allocate these funds to established Canadian and international humanitarian organizations for humanitarian assistance efforts that benefit the people most affected by the drought.
The fund will provide effective and accountable financial support to experienced Canadian and international humanitarian partner organizations working in the affected areas of East Africa.