As many of you probably already know by now, the situation for millions living in Somalia and the horn of Africa is dire and grave. According to recent World Food Programme statistics, “13 million people in the Horn of Africa are facing a hunger crisis”. Drought, civil war and a weak economy have forced millions to travel miles on foot to seek medical help for their children, some under 12 lbs in weight at the age of 7 months and under 20 lbs at the age of 3. The data and information provided by NGOs and organizations monitoring the situation in the region is shocking and heartbreaking. Women and children are the most affected by the crisis, due to their sudden inability to make their own food. Sometimes 50% of the aid sent to the region by organizations like the UN and the WFP is stolen and sold in the black market for amounts those in need simply cannot afford.
We’re living in a time where everyone is so enthralled by the situation in the nation, understandably. We’ve received comments so far about how the timing is not right to raise awareness about a nation faraway while Egypt is going through so much. The fact of the matter is Egypt really is going through a lot, much of which requires our attention, because the future of a nation is being formed. But while we are forming our future, there are millions of children who are on the verge of death due to starvation to the extent that those who visit the region say that sometimes they were not sure if the children mothers were caressing were alive or dead, some of them looked like they were just “skin and bones” they said.
You do not have to dedicate a fortune or even the greatest portion of your time to the cause, we have started the #SaveSomalia campaign on our social media channels yesterday and it’s running for a week on facebook and twitter. We’re posting facts, videos, and photo essays, everything we find valuable and credible about the issue to draw people’s attention towards it coupled with resources and information about how to help; it can be as minor as making a donation of 20LE. But those 20EGP can make all the difference in the life of one child who’s so ill, who can feel nothing, see nothing, smell nothing, and taste nothing but hunger and starvation.
Follow us on Twitter, check our posts on facebook and if you can, why not help save even if just one precious life of a mother or a child in the Horn of Africa where people really need all the help they can get. The situation is one that cannot wait.
N.B. In efforts to abide by the dedication of this week to the Somalia and Horn of Africa crisis, this week’s debate is about the causes of famine. Share your opinion and help us raise awareness!
Thank you for your support!
