On Wednesday July 20, 2011, The United Nations declared the crisis in Somalia a famine. The country, rocked by tumultuous conflict for a number of years, has been in drought since early March of 2011. As a result, the government has struggled to provide food and water to its people.
Living with the Aftermaths of a Civil war in 1991, Somalia has been suffering with the combination of conflict and natural disasters that has eroded livelihoods, causing structural food insecurity, population displacements and extreme poverty. The UN called Somalia’s crisis the worst in 60 years.
As the Humanitarian fund struggles to provide food-aid to the 11.6 million famine victims scattered throughout Ethiopia, Kenya, Djibouti and Somalia, they insist there is more work to be done. “The combined forces of drought, inflation and conflict have created a catastrophic situation that urgently requires massive international support,” said UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Director-General, Jacques Diouf.
“If we don’t act now, famine will spread to all eight regions of southern Somalia,” said Mark Bowen, UN Humanitarian coordinator for Somalia. “Every day of delay in assistance is literally a matter of life or death.”
Face2Face Africa has been following the events currently unfolding in Africa’s horn-region. We support relief organization, Oxfam America in their efforts to provide aid to famine victims. Oxfam America's mission to see “a world without poverty” is reflected in their work to end poverty since 1970. For more Information on Oxfam America visit http://www.oxfamamerica.org/.
At the professional mixer hosted by Face2face Africa on July 29th, there will an opportunity for attendees to participate in a raffle for the chance to win two (2) roundtrip tickets to Africa, courtesy of Arik Airlines. Face2face Africa will donate thirty (30) percent of the proceeds from the raflle to Oxfam America to aid its efforts in relieving the famine crisis in East Africa.
Face2Face Africa urges all to get involved in the relief efforts. By restoring stability to Africa’s people, we can successfully restore Africa’s image.