A woman and her child arrive in Dadaab refugee camp. Tens of thousands of newly arrived Somalis have swelled the population of what was already the world’s largest refugee camp. Photo by Paul Jeffrey, ACT
Situation report update
Somalia
August 5, 2011
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is responding in Somalia and parts of Kenya as a member of the ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance. ACT members who have experience and partnerships in the area are already responding to the crisis.
PDA made an initial contribution of $100,000 from One Great Hour of Sharing funds to assist newly displaced people in Mogadishu, drought- affected people in the Gedo region, refugees in the Dadaab camp in Kenya, and host communities in both Kenya and Somalia.
Assistance includes:
- temporary shelter
- provision of water and sanitation
- emergency/therapeutic feeding and nutrition, including special feeding of malnourished refugees
- essential personal and domestic items (jerry cans, blankets, sleeping mats, sanitary pads & kitchen sets)
- energy-efficient stoves, firewood
- access to primary health care, hygiene and education services
- provision for emergency health interventions.
In addition, funds will help provide protection monitoring along border entry points, the camps and camp outskirts. Assistance is especially targeted to single women, children, and unaccompanied or separated children.
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.
A malnourished child receives treatment in the Banadir hospital in Mogadishu. Families walked for weeks to the ACT-supported hospital. Photo by Christoph Pueschner, DKH/ACT
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. We are using the more general account because in addition to Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia are also affected by the severe drought.
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.
Use some of the prayers and worship resources found on the Horn of Africa response index to help lift up the need.
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.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is a member of ACT Alliance, a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. Learn more about how PDA works with ACT.
