March 17, 2016
Ethiopia
The Caritas CR will deploy its crisis fund for a total amount of CZK 100,000 to support the victims of extreme drought that has seriously affected large areas in Ethiopia. The director of the institution Lukáš Curylo said: “By deploying this amount of money, we will support another project of our institution which is aiming to help families at the risk of starvation.”
The El Niño phenomenon caused a long delay in the Belg (February to May) and Kremt (September-October) rainy seasons. This led to a severe crop yield reduction which is estimated to amount to 60–90 %. As a consequence, last year alone the number of people in the need of food support increased by 44 %, from 4.5 million in August 2015 to 10.2 million in January 2016).
Lukáš Curylo added: “Local Caritas prepared a new program to ensure subsistence to all Ethiopian people in drought stricken regions. They will focus on families at risk of starvation who will be given seed stock and cattle.” At the same time, they will ensure access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities to prevent the emergence and spread of diseases. Another aim is also to enhance the support to local agricultural production (e.g. irrigation system supplies). Finally, humanitarian workers in Ethiopia will distribute supplementary food packages to undernourished people.
In 2016, the program will provide direct support to 98,751 households and indirect support for 492, 855 persons. The total budget of the program amounts to EUR 2,897,563.
The Caritas CR have been developing its activities in Ethiopia since July 2011 in the famine-stricken Horn of Africa. According to the UN, the country was affected by the worst drought in the last 60 years, causing up to 10 million people to starve and be fully dependant on humanitarian aid. Presently, the Caritas CR participates in ensuring sustainable sources of subsistence in the region Kedida Gamela. The organization is planning to get involved in three more initiatives by the end of this year: the support of households through integrated river basin management, improvement of health care quality and accessibility for mothers and children in Konso Special woreda (equivalent of district) and ensuring food safety and reducing the number of people with severe acute malnutrition in Kachabira woreda.
If you would like to help Ethiopia, you can donate to the account no. 55660022/0800, (Česká spořitelna, variable symbol: 146). Thank very much for all donations!
