How To Help Somalia: Options For Famine Relief (UPDATED)
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UPDATED August 10, 2011 7:12 p.m.
In the scorched-by-drought Horn of Africa, the famine continues to take its biggest toll on the most vulnerable.
In southern Somalia alone, the crisis has killed 29,000 young children in the last 90 days, the Associated Press reports.
UNHCR head Antonio Guterra, who has visited a refugee camp himself, is asking the world for help.
"2011 has been the year of all crises, but I think that in Somalia we can find the worst humanitarian disaster of this year," Guterres told accompanying journalists. "Our heart is broken when we see mothers telling us that after having walked for days to reach safety, they have lost their children along the way [and] to see children dying and then doctors not being able to help because it is too late."
Many organizations and funds have mobilized to provide relief:
The World Food Programme is appealing for $342 million to feed 11.3 million people in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. The organization plans to airlift high energy biscuits and nutritious supplementary foods to those most in need.
UNHCR has asked for $136.3 million and suggests donations such as $7, which provides therapeutic food for a malnourished child.
The British Red Cross and The Kenya Red Cross are both accepting funds online or through mail to first mitigate the crisis and then help people in the region restore their livelihoods.
Mercy Corps has helped deliver water to 16 Kenyan villages in the last few days, providing relief to almost 120,000 people. The organization is accepting donations to continue expanding its work.
Oxfam, in conjunction with Save The Children, is appealing for $144 million. Any amount is welcome, but the Oxfam site suggests $50 to provide 200 people a day's supply of clean water or $100 to feed a family of six more than two weeks.
The International Rescue Committee is accepting donations that will provide medical screenings, expand water-supply systems and offer help for pregnant women, among other efforts.
The ELCA World Hunger Relief is accepting donations to provide immediate aid to refugee camps in the Horn of Africa. One hundred percent of donations will be used for regional relief, including filling a food distribution gap by providing enriched porridge to children and the elderly who are too weak to eat dry food.
A donation to Action Aid will help deliver emergency supplies of food and water, and provide support, ensuring people don't become reliant on food aid.
The U.N. Children's Fund asks for help in assisting the more than 2 million children who are malnourished.
International Medical Corps' is accepting donations as it ships food and oil to four refugee camps. The Corps will also construct additional latrines and bathing areas.
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First Posted: 07/11/11 03:29 PM ET Updated: 09/09/11 06:12 AM ET