HORN OF AFRICA / DROUGHT

The World Food Programme expects up to 10 million will require food assistance in drought-stricken Horn of Africa. WFP

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:02:01
• Production Date: 8 July 2011
• Asset Language: Original
• Corporate Name: WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME - WFP
• Subject Topical: NUTRITION; HEALTH SERVICES; DISEASE PREVENTION; DISEASE CONTROL; DISEASES
• Geographic Subject: SOMALIA
• MAMS Id: U110708g

Description

STORY: HORN OF AFRICA / DROUGHT
TRT: 2:01
SOURCE: WFP
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 6 JULY 2011, DAGAHALEY REFUGEE CAMP, DADAAB, KENYA / 5 JULY 2011, DOLO ADO REFUGEE CAMP, ETHIOPIA

6 JULY 2011, DAGAHALEY REFUGEE CAMP, DADAAB, KENYA

1. Various shots, newly-arrived Somali refugees at Dagahaley refugee camp where they will receive food and shelter
2. SOUNDBITE (English) David Orr, Spokesperson, World Food Programme:
“In Somalia, thousands of people are being driven out by the drought and seeking help in neighbouring countries; Northern Kenya and in Ethiopia; often walking for days and for weeks to arrive there.”
3. Various shots, newly-arrived Somali refugees waiting to enter the camp
4. Various shots, malnourished children waiting for treatment
5. Various shots, WFP warehouse of food being distributed
6. SOUNDBITE (English) David Orr, Spokesperson, World Food Programme:
“WFP estimates that it is feeding six million people at the moment. Over the coming months that could rise to 10 million people. The UN will certainly need huge resources if it is to rise to meet the challenge of this crisis in the coming months.”

5 JULY 2011, DOLO ADO REFUGEE CAMP, ETHIOPIA

7. Various shots, newly arrived refugees from Somalia

Storyline

The United Nations (UN) World Food Programme (WFP) today said it is already assisting six million people in the Horn of Africa plus eastern Uganda but as the impact of the drought grows, the organization expects this number will rise to as much as 10 million.

According to the UN, high food prices and prolonged drought are worsening an already dire situation for thousands of families in need of food and water

The refugee situation is growing with some 10,000 arriving every week in Dadaab on the border between Somalia and Kenya. Dadaab is the world’s largest refugee camp.

WFP’s Spokesperson David Orr said that the Somalis “often walking for days and for weeks to arrive” in Northern Kenya and Ethiopia.

WFP estimates it will need around $477 million to address hunger needs in the region through to the end of the year, but it currently has a 40 per cent shortfall in funding amounting to around $190 million.

Advance planning and forward-purchasing of food has positioned WFP to respond to the current needs, but as food requirements grow, more resources will need to be mobilized to address the needs of the hungry across the Horn of Africa region, the agency said.

WFP, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the British-based Oxfam agency today issued a joint appeal for a more resilient and longer-lasting response to the drought and other “slow-onset” humanitarian crises.

The three agencies asked the international community to commit to longer-term, longer-lasting solutions, such as sustainable food assistance, support for small farmers, and support for policies and investments that address core challenges such as climate change adaptation, preparedness and disaster risk reduction and management, rural livelihoods, productive infrastructure, production and marketing, institutions and governance, conflict resolution, pastoralist issues and access to essential health and education.