In Kenya
Red Cross St. Maarten has joined the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies via The Netherlands Red Cross in an Emergency appeal to assist millions facing drought and hunger in Kenya.
More than 3.2 million Kenyans are now classified as food insecure and in desperate need of assistance as a severe drought continues to ravage many parts of the country.
In light of this alarming statistic, which has risen from 2.4 million since March this year, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is today launching an emergency appeal for 14.7m Swiss francs (17.9m US dollars / 12.4m Euros) to raise vital funds and provide assistance to the men, women and children who continue to face unimaginable suffering and hardship as a result of the worst regional drought in 60 years.
"Today we witnessed people simply collapsing from hunger and exhaustion, many having not eaten for several days," says the IFRC’s Alexander Matheou who is in Turkana, the northwestern most district in Kenya, one of the worst affected regions where malnutrition rates are double the emergency levels.
2011 has been classified as the driest year on record in the Eastern Horn of Africa, and the health, livelihoods and food security of millions of Kenyans continues to be put at serious risk. According to the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWSNET), an estimated 700,000 people in the Northern part of the country (Turkana, Pokot, Marsabit, Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa Counties) could be classified as highly food insecure.
The current and predicted need in affected areas far outweighs the current humanitarian response. With no likelihood of improvement until early 2012, the situation in many parts of Kenya remains dire and requires large scale and sustained humanitarian interventions.
Red Cross Sint Maarten is appealing to the General Public of Sint Maarten to join in the effort and send all monetary donations to the following Sint Maarten Red Cross Windward Islands & RBTT Bank Accounts:
WIB NAF. 809.809.00
WIB USD. 809.809.02
RBTT NAF. 400.68.412
RBTT NAF. 403.85.191
For more information please contact:
Mrs. Marjan van der Steen – Manager of Red Cross St. Maarten
Tel. (599) 545-2333/2304 – Fax (599) 545-5263 – Cell (599) 586-5327