By Ian Wilson | Director
Climate change is a real problem for those of us who live in parts of the world feeling the impact of changing weather patterns. Only a few years ago, we were desperate to help people in our region suffering the effects of prolonged drought and, with the help of donors like you, we were able to relieve suffering and offer alternative lifestyles to some, to enable them to escape reliance on rainfall for traditional farming methods.
Many of the youths who sought refuge in town to escape the drought have been incorporated in our various training programs, enabling them to set up their own small businesses or to find employment. Whether we like it or not, the old cultural lifestyles that sustained families in rural areas are increasingly under pressure from climate and population changes and alternatives must be found. Families are moving into urban areas to escape impossibile conditions and to avoid them living in squalor and poverty in towns, we must help find ways they can sustain themselves. To this end, we have increased the numbers of youths we train, year on year.
Sadly, you will have read in the newspapers, or seen on television, how we have gone to the other extreme this year. In recent weeks, our rainfall has been at record levels. This should be our 'short rains' and start of the long, dry season. Instead, we have extreme flooding and landslides which have killed over 50 people and displaced hundreds. This flooding was sudden and unexpected. One couple lost seven children in a landslide. Bridges have been destroyed. These are the same regions that were subjected to drought only a few years ago and the suffering endured is heart breaking.
The needs of people in these areas are the same. They need alternative methods of support and many will need to permanently move out of areas prone to climatic disasters. We are now involved in helping build new homes for those displaced by floods, emergency aid to get children into schools in January and assistance in finding suitable income streams for those who have lost livelihoods. Please help us.
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