East Africa Drought & Famine

October 15 Update

I flew out on Monday, October 3, for my second trip to Turkana. Bishop Francis Namuya and the team were there to welcome me. We went straight to buy the food commodities for distribution— 400 bundles of cornmeal, 110 boxes vegetable fat. They were hauled onto the truck which also carried the loaders, security guard, and other team members, traveling all through the night to reach the distribution sites as scheduled.


9,600 bags of cornmeal and 2,640 tubs of oil will were distributed to about 6000 people. That will supply about 38,000 meals.


We had two main distribution centers on this trip–Nakurio and Kerio. We also gave food to other communities in Lorengelup and Juluk. In addition to this, we donated food to schools in Nakurio, Kerio, and Lorengelup.


In all, this distribution was very successful and we were able to serve more needy communities and people. There was no discrimination, everyone was eligible to receive help. I was again impressed with how well-organized and coordinated the Full Gospel Church of Kenya team was.

September 1 Update

Bright Hope's local partner, Dotun, visited the drought-affected area of Lodwar from August 24-26 to view our on-the-ground efforts. Dotun observed that the distribution of food was well-organized, and that our local partner church was being very effective.

So far, 1,100 families have been 6 kg of maize flour each plus 500 g of cooking oil, the equivalent of 26,400 meals being distributed. We're making a difference and need to continue to serve this devastated region.

Four Ways to Help

Bright Hope has developed a partnership with a small church in Lodwar, Kenya. This church of about 30 people is helping feed over 1,200 people from the hardest hit areas of Kenya, including Lokitang, Kerio, and Kalokor. As a local pastor has said. "There is nothing for people to eat, and they're walking from way out in the interior of the country to find food."


While we work with our partners to develop a long term response to this devastating drought, we're supporting the efforts of the church in Lodwar, by helping them to purchase maize and maize flour, beans, cooking oil, salt and rice. These basic food supplies will help families fleeing the drought achieve a level of stability and nutrition that they have sorely missed.


Feed a Family of 4 for 1 Week - $20




Feed a Family of 4 for 1 Month - $80




Feed a Family of 4 for 3 Months - $240




Help Support Our Most Urgent Needs


$


About the Crisis

East Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years, resulting in the most dire food crisis in over twenty years. Initial estimates are that the famine is currently affecting 11 million people, including 2.3 million children, and has been compounded by escalating food and gas prices, political unrest, and the ongoing civil war in Somalia. Most relief agencies have been banned from operating in the areas controlled by factions involved in the civil war, exacerbating the problem.

 

 

The worst hit areas in Kenya are the North Eastern Province and parts of North Rift, among them Turkana, Pokot and Baringo. These areas are naturally very dry, so when the rain stops hardly anything can grow there.


Even with Kenya facing her own challenges, they are also having to deal with the refugees coming in from Somalia, who are now flooding refugee camps in the Western part of Kenya. At the end of last year the number of Somali refugees swelled to 300,000 mostly because of the civil war, but now with the drought and famine, it is estimated that the number has almost doubled with an estimated 1500 people arriving daily at the camp. Many of the Somali people have walked on foot for up to 30 days across the desert to get there. Many children are arriving severely malnourished and dehydrated.


Please check back often for updates as we develop our long-term plan.


To learn more about this dire situation:

 


Please also pray for the people of Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia.


Bright Hope also accepts cash, checks and money orders by mail. If you prefer to speak to someone, please call (224) 520-6100 and your donation will be taken over the phone. To make a donation via mail, use the contact info below:


Bright Hope
2060 Stonington Avenue
Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
224.520.6100 (Phone)
847.519.0024 (Fax)
info@BrightHope.org

Please note: Your tax-deductible receipt will be issued only for the amount of your gift.

Share |