Children starve in the Horn of Africa

The rains have failed the people of the Horn of Africa, and their children are dying.

The worst drought in 60 years has put 11 million people in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Somalia at risk, according to the U.N. — and the youngest suffer the most.

Exhausted, hungry families carry their children miles through the parched landscape in search of water and food. Sometimes a child dies in a mother's arms — of malnutrition, of waterborne illness, of measles — the final diagnosis doesn't matter. It is because the rains failed and assistance did not arrive.

This is dire and alarming — but not hopeless if we act with the skill, determination and efficiency that is required to address the immediate needs. That is exactly what ChildFund International is doing. We have established links with relevant partners both at the national and local levels to plan and coordinate services to the affected populations.

We are able to do this quickly and effectively because ChildFund has worked in Kenya since 1960 and Ethiopia since 1972. We have the local staff leadership, knowledge and relationship to respond, but we can't do it without generous support from those who care.

* * * * *

It's a situation referred to as a slow-onset emergency, and it was caused by two consecutive rainy seasons failing. The short rainy seasons in Kenya and Ethiopia also failed. This year, the area's rainfall was less than one-third of the average from the past 15 years.

Now everyone prays for the rains to come in September. But it could be too late, if help does not arrive before then.

The extreme conditions mean crops have failed and water holes have dried up. Food prices have soared. Families are distressed because for two years they have had to use their traditional coping mechanisms. They suffer from nutritional stress and physical stress. They can cope for only so long before they fall into acute malnutrition. Most do not eat for days. They are completely dependent on wild fruits, with no access even to the minimum water needed to sustain life.

With no food to eat or sell, families begin selling their meager belongings. When those are gone, and with nothing else to stay for, they sell the corrugated iron roofs off their houses.

And then they walk in search of food and water. The weakest won't make it. Those who do often end up in slums or suburban areas that are not equipped to help them. So families and children turn to begging, stealing or prostitution.

* * * * *

ChildFund is addressing the immediate threats. In ChildFund's areas of operation, we estimate 660,000 persons are now affected, including 7,000 children who are facing life-threatening conditions.

The World Health Organization states that when malnutrition rates reach 15 percent, there is an emergency situation. In some of the areas where ChildFund works, we are already at 30 percent. In Kenya, malnutrition rates are high — 37 percent. It is the children under 5 and lactating mothers who are the worst affected.

It's about survival now.

ChildFund's efforts are trained squarely on those groups because of their vulnerability and the lifelong implications of inadequate food intake at those stages of life. ChildFund is providing food, water and basic health services, as well as supplemental feedings to ensure that children will not fall into acute malnutrition.

We support government efforts in trucking water to areas hard hit by the drought. We integrate supplementary feeding activities with relief activities. We provide nutritional and micro-nutrient supplements to vulnerable groups, including children and pregnant and lactating women.

In addition, ChildFund is working to keep families and children in their communities so that when the rains come in September, they are there to plant crops and cultivate their farms. If they don't plant, they will lose another harvest and experience another year without food.

Some ask, "Where are the governments?" They are responding, and we are working closely with them. They have kept the borders open but it's an untenable situation. They can't support both a large influx of refugees and the local communities. Private support will maximize the government support.

It is critical that all of the resources needed to save lives are provided to these communities and their starving children.