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Al-Imdaad Foundation CEO Yacoob Vahed provides medical assistance to a child at the Waberi camp in Somalia. The foundations Horn of Africa Drought Appeal is seeking donations to help provide food and aid to the drought-stricken region.

LAEA MEDLEY

In the Horn of Africa, about 3.7 million people lack food and water, more than 250 000 children suffer from malnutrition, and more than 800 people are dying daily.

The severe drought in this region has been described as the worst in 60 years, and the Al-Imdaad Foundation (AIF), a South African humanitarian NGO, has called for donations to help those in need.

Ebrahim Vahed, a spokesman for the foundation, said the Horn of Africa had had 80 percent less rain than usual, leading to crop failures and a lack of food and water.

“Experts have indicated to us that rains were not expected until next month,” he said. The famine was sweeping over Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Kenya.

The AIF started a Horn of Africa Drought Appeal, and would use donations to bring food and aid to the area. On Sunday, the foundation set up a medical treatment camp in Somalia and attended to more than 1 000 refugees, many dehydrated and undernourished children.

In addition to helping people in Somalia, the AIF will also send aid to refugees on the Kenyan border.

“The influx of people into these camps increases daily and the AIF will establish a presence there to distribute relief,” said Vahed.

The Jordanian government donated a military cargo plane to the foundation, which would be stocked with relief items to be transported to the most affected areas. “This will ensure that the aid will reach more people,” said Vahed.

The AIF has been providing humanitarian services for eight years, focusing on emergency disaster relief. The team of volunteers includes academics, accountants, IT specialists, medical personnel, attorneys and businessmen.

The foundation works in more than 32 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. “We work with all in need regardless of their race, religion, nationality or political opinion,” said Vahed.

“While responding to emergencies is one of our major priorities, we also work on strategic programmes to eliminate poverty.” These programmes include child welfare, housing, education, and social welfare.

To make a donation to the Al-Imdaad Foundation, visit www.alimdaad.com, or call 086 1786 243 for more details.

laea.medley@inl.co.za