By Lauren Meling | Project Leader
In the last three months alone, 30,000 children have died from the effects of the famine and drought in the Horn of Africa.
In light of the ongoing crisis, The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has issued an emergency public service announcement (PSA) for the Horn of Africa:
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres, has called the famine in war-torn Somalia “the worst humanitarian disaster in the world.” Americans are urged to contribute to UNHCR’s urgent life-saving efforts by donating any amount online or texting SOMALIA to 80000 to add a donation of $10 to your wireless bill.*
These urgently-needed donations will allow UNHCR to deliver humanitarian aid inside Somalia and will save the lives of the victims of this brutal famine.
The emergency PSA comes at the same time as UNHCR’s assessment of the four refugee camps in Ethiopia revealed death rates in Kobe camp reaching alarming levels. On average, 10 children under the age of five have died every day since the refugee camp opened in June.
UNHCR has appealed for over $144 million in urgently-needed donations for its life-saving emergency response to provide shelter and protection. Of this, $8.6 million is slated for expanded aid projects inside Somalia. UNHCR is one of just a handful of organizations that currently has access and staff inside Somalia.
To date, only 68% of the emergency appeal has been funded. Without continued funds UNHCR’s crucial work could be in jeopardy. UNHCR and its fundraising partners are urging Americans, if they can, to contribute to this crisis today.
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