Press Release: Aid agencies call upon donors to commit funds to save lives in countries hit by El Nino

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Aid agencies call upon donors to commit funds to save lives in countries hit by El Nino

Nairobi, Kenya, 7th January, 2016 - A warning has been issued by a section of Non-Governmental organisations, that an inadequate response to El Nino funding would put an already overstretched humanitarian system under intense strain. Tens of millions of people are at extreme risk of hunger, homelessness and disease. Funding is urgently required to prevent millions of people (men, women and children) around the world from facing hunger and starvation, lack of water shortages and ill health.

World Vision’s El Nino Response Director, Kathryn Taetzsch, says “Donors need to commit funds now in order to save countless lives over the coming weeks and months due to the impact of the El Nino rainfall.”

The humanitarian agencies spearheading the call include Oxfam and World Vision. They have warned United Nations (UN) member states that the humanitarian system was already massively underfunded with the gap between the need and funding still remain the largest ever. In 2015, USD 19.9 billion in humanitarian funding was needed. Only half was given, says World Vision’s El Nino Response Director, Kathryn Taetzsch.

Breaks in critical global assistance such as food, nutrition, clean water and sanitation due to funding shortages is unjustifiable and leaves the world’s most vulnerable on the brink of catastrophe. Kathryn noted that most donors still do not have appropriate funding streams which can support early action to respond.

This year’s appeal of USD 20.1 billion launched by the United Nations (UN) and its partners is designed to meet the needs of nearly 88 million of the most vulnerable people in 37 countries. A number of countries that are affected by El Nino in Africa are not factored into this global appeal.

Tens of millions of people in East and Southern Africa are now suffering in the midst of an impending drought or more floods due to the El Nino.

Nigel Timmins, Oxfam International’s Humanitarian Director says “If the world acts now, we can help prevent disaster and suffering for millions of people rather than waiting for people to start dying. He adds that what is needed now is a combined international effort and need to do this right and put more donor support towards supporting the most vulnerable communities affected by El Nino”.

El Nino is intensifying an already tough situation in many countries and some regions are facing a major emergency.

Since the beginning of the El Nino rainfall in Kenya from October 2015, 112 deaths and 73 recorded injuries have been recorded. In total, 40,121 Households (HHs) approximately 240,726 people have been affected, including a total of 17,254 HHs approximately 103,524 people who have been displaced. In Tana Delta (Coastal region), Muhoroni and Nyando (Lake Region) including Garissa and Turkana (Northern Region) 70,000 people have been displaced due to El Nino. According to the Multi sectoral El Niño Preparedness plan 2015 to 2016 about 200,000 people are expected to be displaced in flood prone affected counties in Kenya.

World Vision Kenya Associate Director of Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs and Food Secuirty Jacqueline Rioba says their will be need for additional support required in form of food and non-food items like shelter (tents), mattresses, blankets, cooking utensils, soap are required by the displaced in the flood prone affected counties.

The humanitarian agencies say speedy funding to enable them prevent severe childhood malnutrition, save livelihoods and boost resilience programming is now essential. The agencies also said affected governments need to respond to this year’s crisis by doing more to put in place social safety nets, disaster preparedness plans and building resilience.

El Niño will continue to January 2016, at a minimal amount or slightly reduced intensities in several parts in Kenya.

 About World Vision Kenya

World Vision Kenya is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. For 40 years, World Vision initiatives in Kenya have helped strengthen the well-being of children in 56 Area Development Programmes spread across 35 of the 47 counties, nationwide.

 World Vision Kenya’s strategic goal is to contribute to the increased protection, participation and well-being of 2.6 million most vulnerable children and 14 million children by 2020 through advocacy and policy influence.

World Vision's community development approach in Kenya, focuses on livelihoods and resilience, child protection, education, health and water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

Through our advocacy work, we enable the voices of the children and their communities to reach decision-makers who have the power to change unjust policies and practices. We partner with the government, communities, donors and corporates to increase protection, participation and well being of the most vulnerable children.

 

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