Hunger Crisis in the Horn of Africa
In the greater Horn of Africa, famine is looming as the severe drought of the past four years is projected to continue into the fall of 2022 and beyond. According to the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), 22 million people in this region which comprises Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda, are currently at risk of acute food insecurity - lack of access to food to meet their basic needs.
The climate-borne crisis, currently most severe in Somalia, has been exacerbated by regional conflict and political instability, pandemic-driven economic losses, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine which has severely limited previously-heavily-relied-upon imports of wheat, cooking oil, and fuel, deeply impacting food supply and prices.
Famine is declared by the United Nations when an area has at least 20% of households facing an extreme lack of food, at least 30% of children suffering from acute malnutrition, and two people for every 10,000 dying each day due to outright starvation or to the interaction of malnutrition and disease.
The WFP reports that, since the beginning of 2022, 9 million people have slipped newly into severe food insecurity across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia. So far 1.1 million people have been forced from their homes by the drought, migrating to crowded camps where the humanitarian community is struggling to meet the demand for food, shelter, and healthcare. As of September 2022, over 500,000 children in Somalia are experiencing acute severe malnutrition, with many dying of starvation or basic illnesses, such as diarrhea, that their malnourished bodies cannot endure.
The roots of food insecurity across the region are multifold and complex, and long-term stability will require climate adaptation and resilience strategies, locally driven economic development programs, and regional and international efforts toward peace and political stability, however the immediate need is for direct humanitarian aid in the forms of cash, vouchers, water, food, medicines, medical treatment, and shelter.
The organizations listed below represent some of the most experienced and capable entities working to provide immediate humanitarian assistance across the region. Each one has particular expertise and areas of focus. Some are recognizable international relief organizations and others are working more at a local level on a smaller scale. Each has a role to play in meeting the immediate needs and stemming the threat of famine. All have been vetted and are able to receive support from US-based donor advised funds (grants) and direct donations.
Local/Grassroot Orgs
Global Greengrant’s began in 1993 with focus in climate justice, healthy ecosystems and communities, local livelihoods, right to land, water and resources, women’s environmental action and protecting the right to defend the environment. They seek to work with local communities to develop frontline strategies in response to environmental threats, social issues and global needs.
BOMA was founded 15 years ago with focus on the economic potential of women, ending poverty, hunger, combating gender inequity and climate change.
International Institute for Rural Reconstruction
The International Institute of Rural Reconstruction was established in 1960 with focus on food systems, economic empowerment, education, environment, and health of rural communities.
Adeso was founded in 1991 with focus on efficiency driven solutions to effectively deliver humanitarian and development aid, collaboration, interconnection with local communities.
International NGO’s/Bilateral Orgs
Oxfam was founded in 1942 with focus on inequality, injustice and ending poverty. Offer crisis support and advocate for economic justice, gender equality and climate action.
UNICEF was founded 1946 with focus on emergency food and health care to children and mother’s during WWII. Now with 34 organizations to focus on climate change, children endangered by climate change, peace in countries with violent conflict, children’s health, child protection, water, sanitation and hygiene programs, discrimination, and lastly nutritional supplements for women and children in education.
WHO - donations to WHO Foundation
The World Health Organization was founded 1948 to connect nations and people to promote health and serve the vulnerable. Focus to direct and coordinate international health services within the UN system around Africa, Americas, Eastern Mediterranean, Europe, South-East Asia, and Western Pacific.
World Food Program USA was founded in 1995 to support the work of the United Nations World Food Programme. Focused on ending global hunger by working with US policy makers, foundations, corporations, and individuals who provide in-kind resources and develop policies to end global hunger.
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
The Center for Disaster Philanthropy was founded in 2010 to support donors impact through expert resource philanthropic consulting services. (Please refer to Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Global Hunger Crisis Fund)
Care was founded in 1945 which now stands for Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere. Known as one of the oldest and largest organizations focused on fighting poverty globally.
Resources:
https://www.csis.org/analysis/concurrent-crises-horn-africa
https://www.npr.org/2022/05/18/1099733752/famine-africa-ukraine-invasion-drought
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1126491
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/9/7/droughts-and-hunger-what-is-happening-in-the-horn-of-africa
https://www.fao.org/3/cb9997en/cb9997en.pdf - see page 42
https://disasterphilanthropy.org/disasters/horn-of-africa-hunger-crisis/
https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/03/us/iyw-how-to-help-world-hunger-crisis/index.html
https://www.axios.com/2022/07/21/east-africa-hunger-famine-somalia-kenya-ethiopia