By Pamela Collett with field reports | Communications
Last weekend the Survival Backpacks team went from Nairobi to Liboi, Kenya near the Somali border to make an initial assessment. Our team consists of three young Somali filmmakers Ahmed Farah, Abdisalaan Aato and Deeq M. Afrika plus two from Hot Sun Foundation: Claudette Oduor, (Kenya) and Matt Wilder (USA). During our trip, Deeq M. Afrika stepped on the soil of his motherland for the first time in twenty years. He fled Somalia at 6years old.
Our trip was self-funded and through the donations of friends and family. We distributed supplies, took photos, and filmed videos on what we saw. All of which we will share through updates and with others in the relief efforts. You can follow us on twitter at Dadaab_Response.
Here are some impressions of what we saw in the area between Dadaab and Liboi, Kenya at the border with Somalia.
Took food and clothes to the new arrivals tonight. They are sleeping in the sand, under the stars, in a field of animal carcasses. Huge groups of children just laying out of doors in 40 degree heat. No shelter.
The Somali soldiers are very fluid-tempered. One argument and they were ready to pump the street. I saw guns pointed at my face. Gunfire a few metres off disrupts our interview today. Shots rang out but nobody was hurt.
Refugees banding together. Clan and tribal issues not present. But warlords/armed men still misbehaving.
Local transport and food business on border with Somalia have doubled their prices due to drought .
Met this group near the border. (see photo). They just arrived in Kenya from Somalia. They walked for 21 days. One of the refugees we met today lost 3 children in the bus to Kenya. But she gave birth to a baby girl in the bus, named her Hawa.
Survival Backpacks team distributed food, milk, water. So much more is needed. We are returning to Nairobi Wednesday 20 July for more supplies. Another trip planned.
Thanks for all your support. Keep it coming.
Donations needed NOW so we can buy more supplies in Nairobi and return to Liboi.
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