Give to Disaster Relief--International Disasters & Emergencies
Your faithful giving is deeply appreciated.
Situation Report
Horn of Africa – Somalia
July 22, 2011
On July 20, 2011, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs formally acknowledged that two regions within Southern Somalia are suffering from famine. "We still do not have all the resources for food, clean water, shelter and health services to save the lives of hundreds of thousands of Somalis in desperate need," Mark Bowden, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia, said.
No relief of the drought conditions leading to the famine is anticipated until this December or January of 2012.
This family has walked for five days through Somalia to reach the Ethiopian border. Photo courtesy of ACT/NCA/Laurie MacGregor
The dire situation in Somalia is forcing people from agro-pastoral areas to flee to the capital, Mogadishu, even though it is severely damaged by years of fighting. An unprecedented number of Somalis are crossing borders into neighboring countries. More than 140,000 Somalis have been forced to cross the borders so far this year. In June alone, more than 55,000 people fled across the borders into Ethiopia and Kenya – three times the number of the preceding month. Somali refugees are also arriving in Djibouti and the total number of Somali refugees in the three neighboring countries now stands at 582,000.
PDA response
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has provided $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing funds to help meet the immediate and basic humanitarian needs of people affected by the drought. PDA is responding to this crisis as a member of ACT Alliance. Fellow ACT Alliance members with programs in Somalia are planning to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to newly displaced people in Mogadishu, drought affected people in Gedo region, refugees in Dadaab camp in Kenya and host communities in both countries.
ACT members are already in the process of distributing 262 tons of flour and 52 tons of cooking oil to the hardest-hit areas of Gedo province in Somalia. This initial delivery will assist more than 30,000 people in four villages for a month.
How You Can Help
We ask you to stand in the GAP for families affected by disasters and help the PC(USA) in its response.
GIVE. The generous sharing of your financial blessings through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and special designated giving provides resources needed to assist with immediate and long-term recovery needs.
Individuals may give through your local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site, or by sending a check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
Please include the special designated giving account DR999999 -International Response.
Congregations should send donations through their normal mission giving channels.
ACT. Stay informed and share information about the need with others. Sign up to receive PDA Rapid Information Network (PDA-RIN) email notices to alert you of additional needs.
PRAY. Our best response is prayer. 1 Thessalonians implores us to pray without ceasing, so your prayers are requested above all else. Please pray for families who are hungry, thirsty, displaced, or need medical care because of this crisis. Also pray for the people responding to the disaster, and for those whose lives are closely linked to both the disaster survivors and the workers who minister to them.
The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations is engaged in conversations within the UN community about the international response to the crisis in the Horn of Africa. Visit the Swords into Plowshares blog for updates and for prayers produced in collaboration with the Office of Theology and Worship.
