More than 20 million people in northeast Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen are at risk of starvation as a result of severe drought conditions or intensifying conflict.
In order to address this unprecedented humanitarian situation, Canada launched the Famine Relief Fund. For every eligible donation made by individuals to registered Canadian charities between March 17 and June 30, 2017, the Government of Canada will contribute an equivalent amount to the Famine Relief Fund.
Famine is not inevitable nor spontaneous. It is a slow process, often the result of complex causes. It begins slowly, silently, and then cascades into a large-scale disaster. These crises are preventable but immediate action is needed.
Support the Work of SCIC Members Responding
SCIC members and their partners are doing important and life-saving work on the ground in the region. Consider donating directly to our members and their partners who are working to support affected communities, listed below.
Humanitarian Coalition Members
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is working with local partners in Ethiopia and Uganda to meet the urgent needs of drought-affected people through the promotion of climate resilient food production. Canadian Lutheran World Relief is a member of the ACT Alliance and the Humanitarian Coalition.
Save the Children is responding across the region to help alleviate the suffering of children and families. Equally devastating food shortages, hunger crises and famines are impacting Nigeria, South Sudan, and Yemen. Save the Children is on the ground in each of the six countries affected by this global Child Hunger Crisis. Save the Children Canada is a member of the Humanitarian Coalition.
ACT Alliance Members
ADRA is responding to this food crisis in South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Somalia.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is working with local partners in Ethiopia and Uganda to meet the urgent needs of drought-affected people through the promotion of climate resilient food production. Canadian Lutheran World Relief is a member of the ACT Alliance and the Humanitarian Coalition.
As an international solidarity organization, Development and Peace has been active for many years in the countries affected by this famine and humanitarian crisis, and is in a position to respond effectively by supporting local partners already working with the most vulnerable populations.
Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D) will be responding to the earthquake through existing networks and coalitions—including the ACT Alliance—to provide for some of the current major needs, including food, water, shelter and psycho-social support.
The Primates’ World Relief and Development Fund (of the Anglican Church of Canada) has been working through ACT Alliance, Canadian Foodgrains Bank and several international aid organizations to provide relief in South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia and Nigeria.
All donations raised through the United Church of Canada for this appeal will go to our long-term Mission & Service partners, including ACT Alliance, which is saving lives in the region.
Through the generous support of individuals, churches, businesses and other organizations World Renew is supporting thousands in South Sudan, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia. This assistance is reaching those who are malnourished and on the brink of starvation, as well as those who will face the same circumstances in the coming months if something is not done now. World Renew is a member of the ACT Alliance.
HOPE International Development Agency is helping families who have fled to safer locations by providing urgently needed food supplies as well as supporting efforts to grow local food in areas where families will be staying until the conflict, drought, and food shortages subside.
MCC is responding to famine and hunger in countries like South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Chad. Our projects range from food distribution to cash transfers; from clean water to canned meat; from nutrition training to trauma healing. The causes of hunger and food insecurity are complex and we are grateful to work with local partners who are resilient and creative in the face of this crisis.
UNICEF has been intensifying its response in the wake of the famine. UNICEF has more than 750 staff in 30 different field locations across the four most affected countries, and their rapid response teams are reaching communities in the most remote locations with treatment for malnutrition, immunization and safe water and sanitation services.