International Aid enters Horn of Africa crisis

Somalia (IAI/MNN) ― Five regions in Somalia are suffering from famine, and officials say that will increase in coming weeks. There's also widespread hunger in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti. The United Nations estimates that more than 12 million people need help, including about 3.7 million Somalis.

The U.S. just announced another $23 million dollars in grants for famine relief. A combination of drought, famine and war combined to create a perfect storm, resulting in the worst drought in half a century for southern Somalia.
Reports confirm that over a thousand refugees are crossing into Kenya and Ethiopia daily. However, the problem wasn't limited by boundaries on a map. The drought conditions have spread throughout northern Kenya and also include Ethiopia, Djibouti and Eritrea.

The immediate response of International Aid is to financially assist a partner who has had a presence in Kenya for eight years. With warehouses on the ground, these partners have an established distribution system to meet the needs of both Kenyan nationals and Somalian refugees who are in desperate need of life-saving aid.

Any funds International Aid collects will be used to buy food and supplies that will be used by those working with Somali refugees in Kenya.

"The situation in East Africa is severe and will be long-lasting," said Brian Anderson, International Aid's CEO. "International Aid is dedicated to supporting our in-country partners throughout this crisis and seeking out opportunities to best meet the needs of those who are suffering."

As the drought continues, International Aid will search for opportunities to supply health products and/or medical equipment.

Please pray for the team working in the name of Christ in these disaster areas. Pray, too, for those affected by this crisis, for effectiveness in the distribution of aid, and for God's provision for those in need.