The Horn of Africa (HoA) encompassing the area of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Kenya is one of the most food insecure regions in the world, characterised by frequent droughts and conflict.
In 2011, the combination of failed seasonal rains, soaring food prices and protracted conflict culminated in a severe food crisis which affected four million people in Somalia and caused in an influx of up to 800,000 refugees in Kenya and Ethiopia. The livelihoods, food and livestock security and health of a further 8,600,000 people across the entire HoA were affected creating still further vulnerability for the future ahead.
International Red Cross Movement Response
The Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCC), with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), carried out emergency food distributions in 2011 to over 917,000 people in southern and central Somalia and provided farmers with seeds and agricultural tools to boost agricultural productivity to stave off further reduced cereal and food production. Other affected communities were supported through cash-for-work programmes. The SRCC also distributed essential household items to over 260,000 people newly displaced by the conflict or drought in Somalia.
In addition, the SRCC mounted a large-scale water trucking operation benefiting up to 700,000 persons and their livestock and renovated and repaired 46 water points ensuring access to safe and clean water for a further 160,000 people.
Irish Red Cross Response
In response, the Irish Red Cross provided financial assistance to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to support 11 new outpatient therapeutic feeding programs and 9 mobile health teams, which provided treatment to over 27,800 severely malnourished children.