EAST AFRICA - As long-term drought continues to ravage most of East Africa, an estimated 11 million people in the region are facing critical food shortages. Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia are some of the countries being affected most by the crisis. Relief agencies are working to provide assistance in the Kenya, Ethiopia and Somali regions, but the crisis continues.

As climate changes create adverse effects to much of the African continent, daily temperatures in some areas have begun to rise above 105 degrees (fahrenheit), and are expected to increase.

In the Mandera region of Kenya, nearly 80% of the livestock has died from starvation, thirst or disease due to the lack of grazing land as well as water. Rotting carcasses of animals can be seen near boreholes . . . livestock that tried to reach a supply of water but were too late. Many people have been forced to abandon their traditional nomadic lifestyle and travel to towns and larger villages seeking help.

“There are reports of hundreds of people arriving at watering sites every day,” Missionary of Africa Director of Development, Fr. John Lynch explains. “This is the worst drought many people have ever experienced . . . and people are desperate.”

“Imagine not having any substantial rainfall for 10 years -- and how that would completely change your life! That’s what entire nations are going through.” The Missionaries of Africa are
currently accepting donations to provide relief for those suffering from East Africa’s long-term drought.

EAST AFRICA - As the worst drought in living memory continues to grip much of East Africa, water sources such as shallow wells and boreholes have become the daily gathering spot for hundreds upon hundreds of people. And as the drought has continued, these water sources have been forced to adapt.

“Shallow wells are no longer shallow,” a recent report explains.“As the climate has become drier, people have been forced to dig deeper to locate water. Some ‘shallow wells’ are now as deep as 80 feet.”

Boreholes are also in bad condition. Many are being pumped 24 hours a day in order to keep up with demand. As a result, pumps are often breaking down. In many instances, those
responsible for these facilities have been forced to begin charging fees for the water -- so as to be able to maintain the operation of the pumps and other necessary machinery. Now, many of the poorest people who used to rely on the boreholes for water cannot afford to pay.

“One third of the African population has no drinking water and almost half of the African people have health problems due to the lack of clean drinking water,” an international study recently released states. “If the current situation cannot be improved, at least 17 African countries will suffer from a severe water shortage by 2010. The water shortage could also lead to clashes between some countries in the region.”

“This is a crisis that is beyond the understanding of many of us who live here in the United States,” explains Fr. John Lynch. Fr. Lynch lived and served as a missionary in Africa before coming to the U.S. “When people are without the basic necessities of life -- such as food and water -- terrible things can happen. Hostilities rise; tempers flare . . . and a minor dispute can quickly turn into a war. If the people of East Africa do not receive the relief they need soon, we could see thousands of innocent men, women and children die from war -- not just from drought or famine. We simply cannot turn away from this situation. Too much is at stake.”

For more information on how you can help provide relief to those suffering from East Africa’s devastating drought, contact the Missionaries of Africa or log on to their website at www.missionariesofafrica.org.