EAST AFRICA FAMINE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DONOR IMPACT REPORT
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In 2017, a severe drought across East Africa escalated into a famine, causing a humanitarian crisis of frightening proportions. Across South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Ethiopia and Kenya, more than 20 million people were suffering the consequences of famine. A surge in volatile conflict also erupted across the region, worsening the crisis of unprecedented food insecurity and mass displacement. Populations facing starvation quickly moved to the brink of famine, with epidemic levels of disease, malnutrition and death. 2
Over 130,000 cases of deadly waterborne disease were reported in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. More than 24,000 children were affected by measles outbreaks in Somalia and Ethiopia, according to WHO. Children under 5 years old were particularly vulnerable because they did not receive critical nutrients to build immunity against disease. The threat of constant hunger is still a reality in East Africa today, and communities in this region remain dependant on international aid.
OUR WORK IN THE REGION ETHIOPIA
KENYA
Islamic Relief began their work in Ethiopia in 2000. Your support here in Canada has touched the lives of 81,547 individuals, primarily supporting children, pregnant women, and new mothers. Ethiopia is one of the world’s poorest countries, with many living on less than $1 a day. Our projects include education, livelihood improvement for orphans, water and sanitation assistance, as well as health and nutrition support. Recently, we ensured water-trucking services to depleted areas, and provided hygiene and sanitation education.
Islamic Relief began their work in Kenya in 1993. Your support here in Canada has touched the lives of 33,400 individuals, primarily focused on young children, pregnant and nursing women, and the elderly. Almost half the population of Kenya lives below the poverty line, with recurrent droughts severely impacting the poorest communities. Our projects have an emphasis on food distributions, health and nutrition services, and water and sanitation assistance. We are currently running a sustainable development program to help improve food security and access to clean water.
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SOMALIA Islamic Relief began their work in Somalia in 2006. Your support here in Canada has touched the lives of 333,868 individuals, with a special focus on vulnerable women and orphans. Programs focus on food security, livelihood rehabilitation, social development, medical assistance, and access to safe water. Recently, we distributed food packs and water (through trucking) to those affected by drought and famine.
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SOUTH SUDAN
YEMEN
Islamic Relief began their work in South Sudan in 2003. Your support here in Canada has touched the lives of 94,350 individuals, with a special focus on vulnerable women and children. Projects have included water and sanitation assistance, livelihood support, food distributions, and life-saving supplies. In 2017, we received $800,000 from the Government of Canada for a project focusing on life-saving support to conflict- and drought-affected populations in Wau and Kapoeta.
Islamic Relief began their work in Yemen in 1998. Your support here in Canada has touched the lives of 834,138 individuals, through medical care, livelihood opportunities, food distribution, basic supplies, water and sanitation assistance, and child welfare. In 2017, we received $1.5 million CAD from the Government of Canada for a project focusing on water and sanitation, nutrition, and livelihood support in Hodeida and Abyan governorates. Our response in Yemen spans many sectors, and also has a focus on gender-based violence and child protection.
YOUR DONATIONS IN ACTION ETHIOPIA DROUGHT & FAMINE RESPONSE Provided urgent water-trucking, basic hygiene and sanitation materials, as well as training sessions on sanitation for drought-affected pastoralists.
AFDER ZONE
ELKERI CHERETI
HARGELLE
Beneficiaries 42,292 individuals given sanitation assistance 10,000 individuals received Ramadan food packs 24 villages received clean water supply
Project Details With your support, Islamic Relief responded by coordinating water-trucking services and improving basic hygiene and sanitation practices for drought-affected pastoral communities in Chereti, Elkeri and Hargelle Woreda. Water-trucking was carried out in 24 villages as a means of providing those affected by the drought with immediate relief. Since many of the existing water sources in Afder are open and unprotected ponds and rivers, water-purifying sachets were distributed to 2,222 households. Each household received 72 sachets of a water treatment chemical, which they could use to help prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.
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This project also included an educational campaign focused on hygiene and sanitation. Thirty sessions were held, educating community members on the proper use of water treatment chemicals, the causes and control of waterborne diseases, safe environmental sanitation, handwashing, and alternative local options for household water treatment.
Thank You from Our Beneficiaries
More than half of the 42,929 participants were women, since they carry the responsibility of fetching water, preparing food and teaching children. These sessions were engaging and encouraged the community to be proactive in keeping their villages and water sources clean.
“Water is the most basic necessity that we need. We rely on water for cooking, for bathing and to feed our animals. It has been months since our local water supply dried up and it has been a struggle every day to survive.”
Forty-seven-year-old Rukiya Mohamed is a single mother of seven children. The family’s main source of income comes from rearing goats and camels. The animals died as a result of the drought, leaving the family in dire need of assistance.
“Islamic Relief’s water-trucking services has saved so many lives in our village. Alhamdulillah, so many families have benefitted from this project. We are so grateful for the support and hope that it can continue until the rains come.”
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KENYA DROUGHT & FAMINE RESPONSE
MANDERA
Provided immediate life-saving support to communities affected by the drought and East Africa famine, through food packs and water. GARISSA
Beneficiaries 26,250 individuals received access to water 2,800 individuals received food and essential supplies
Project Details To ease the suffering of communities affected by the drought in Mandera and Garissa, Islamic Relief carried out an immediate intervention to tackle food insecurity and increase resilience among the population. Emergency watertrucking services were carried out, directly benefiting 3,750 households. With the help of technical experts from Kenya’s Ministry of Water, various underground water sources in need of rehabilitation were identified. The water sources were restored through the construction of new borehole pumps, installation of a new community engine, and rehabilitation of underground water tanks. This significantly reduced time spent travelling to fetch water.
children and families. They are also able to engage in local businesses to provide food for their facilities. School-going children, particularly girls, no longer need to miss class to fetch water for domestic and livestock use. Food packs containing one month’s worth of rice, sugar, vegetable oil, wheat flour and beans were distributed. In collaboration with local nutrition nurses and a technical health team, activities for local communities were also carried out to teach the importance of nutrition and hygiene education. Islamic Relief had procured and distributed essential drugs for the treatment of the livestock, facilitating livestock vaccinations for over 24,000 animals in Mandera east, Lafey and Mandera North subcounties.
Women are now better able to focus on other essential activities, such as taking care of their
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Bonus: Sustainable Food & Development Project Trained smallholder farmers in climate-smart agriculture, entrepreneurship and solarpowered water systems, for increased food security, sustainable income and quality of life. Beneficiaries: 1,100 Individuals
Thank You from Our Beneficiaries “The intervention was a Godsend, it came at a time when there was a high need and the drought was seriously biting. It has relieved the suffering of the community in Mandera County.” - Young woman, Mandera “Much-needed food and water was supplied in a timely manner. This has benefited many of us. Our livestocks too have been vaccinated. Alhamdulillah, we thank God.” - Community elder. “We appreciate the immense and unique support Islamic Relief has given us in this hour of need. This is a timely response.” - Local scholar “This is the first time we are witnessing an agency intervening to support the droughtaffected persons in Hulugho. We want to state that we welcome your support with both hands. May Allah bless you abundantly.” - Area Chief, Hulugho “This is the first NGO in the history of time to offer such big food packs with culture-sensitive food contents for our people.” - Elderly woman, Bura village.
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SOMALIA DROUGHT & FAMINE RESPONSE
SOMALILAND
PUNTLAND
Distributed emergency food packs and water for 45 days, with special focus on the most vulnerable. Water reserves were rehabilitated to help retain water for an additional 6-8 months. SOUTH-CENTRAL SOMALIA
Beneficiaries 21,599 households received emergency food packs 75,000 individuals received access to water sources 23 berkads and boreholes were rehabilitated 12,000 individuals received Ramadan food packs 26,736 individuals received Qurbani meat packs
Project Details With your support, Islamic Relief was able to target drought-affected communities with a focus on improving access to clean water. Water-trucking services provided short-term relief for 21,863 people. Fifteen communal berkads and 8 boreholes in different regions
were rehabilitated, in addition to 1 borehole that was newly constructed. These water facilities now serve as a primary water source for more than 75,000 people, and provide opportunities for livestock asset-building. Food insecurity was also addressed through this intervention. Emergency food packs consisting of one month’s worth of porridge, flour, rice, sugar, cooking oil, dates and milk were distributed to 9,899 households. Those given priority were the elderly, womenheaded households, malnourished children, people living in displacement camps and other vulnerable members of the community. Through its water, food and resource provisions, Islamic Relief supported countless beneficiary communities as they recovered from the devastating drought.
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“Before the drought hit our village of Bulo-Fulay in Bay region, our living situation was very good and we depended on livestock pastoralism. Everything became worse after the famine. We lost 100 cows, fifty sheep and seventy goats. It’s my first time to dislocate and seek a life different from my earlier pastoralism.
Thank You from Our Beneficiaries 55-year-old Asha Nor Mohamed is a widow. With her three children, she resides in a camp on the outskirts of Mogadishu. The conditions of the camp are unbearable. Because of food and water scarcity, Asha is forced to beg on the streets of Mogadishu every day.
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“My kids and I became upset and began moving from camp to camp to ask our relatives and inhabitants from Bulo-Fulay village for support. Living on the outskirts of Mogadishu is not an easy job. It needs tolerance and struggle to receive daily food for the family. Whenever we need water, we travel to collect it from as far as 1,500 metres. Living in this run down camp makes us feel sad and depressed. “Today is the first day that our camp receives food supplies like rice, sugar, flour, milk powder, cooking oil, porridge and dates. We are gratefully happy for the support of Islamic Relief.”
SOUTH SUDAN HEALTH & DROUGHT RECOVERY Urgent Life Saving Services CENTRAL EQUATORIA
Life-saving support for displaced women, girls and children, provided emergency food, improved access to water and sanitation, rehabilitated bore holes and provided nutritional support and health services.
YEI
KAPOETA EAST LOBONOK
Project Details Beneficiaries 52,900 individuals received food, water and sanitation support 11 boreholes were rehabilitated 12,000 individuals received Ramadan food packs 2,397 individuals received Qurbani meat packs
Islamic Relief has been aiding South Sudan by addressing the dire needs of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs). Basic household items, including kitchen sets, blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito net, soap, hygiene kits for women and jerry cans, were distributed to 2,000 households. 11 boreholes were rehabilitated to bring safe drinking water to drought-affected individuals and livestock. Providing access to clean drinking water has reduced travel time that people spend on walking to and from water sources. To ensure that this project remained long-term and sustainable, Islamic Relief supported the implementation of water and health committees, hygiene promoters and hand pump mechanics. These committees, 60% of which were women, trained local communities to learn effective water management. This helped promote greater female leadership and gender equality throughout. In addition to promoting health and hygiene, the water facilities have helped restore crop yield and provide safe and clean drinking water for 32,000 individuals.
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Thank You from Our Beneficiaries Namoru Lotak is a 12-month-old child from Lopua Boma. He was brought to the health outreach site by his mother. After a clinical assessment and screening, Namoru was identified to have observable signs of muscle wasting. His Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) was 10.8 cm, indicating that he was suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition. During a counselling session, Namoru’s mother expressed that she was tired of travelling to the next health facility for access to health services, which was 16 kilometres away from Lopua. The village is situated at the centre of 7 adjacent villages, all of which greatly lack health or school facilities. Water is also not easily accessible where she lives with Namoru. The village folk are highly marginalized, with only a few literate people. The community is also hardly represented in the government. After 6 visits to the outreach site, Namoru’s condition significantly improved. His MUAC soon showed as green, indicating that he was no longer malnourished. The positive impact of his new dietary treatment relieved his family, making them happy. “Thank you, Islamic Relief, who brought the service close to us. I’m happy for the rapid recovery of my son’s life. God bless you,” said Namoru’s mother.
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YEMEN FAMINE & CONFLICT RESPONSE HODEIDAH GOVERNORATES
Provided conflict-affected populations with life-saving food supplies, as well as medical treatment, education and disease prevention kits. Improved access to clean water, sanitation, nutrition, health, and income generation, with a focus on gender-based violence and child protection.
Beneficiaries 13,016 individuals received food and medical support 60,000 individuals received water, health and protection support 17,500 individuals received Ramadan food packs 9,027 individuals received Qurbani meat packs
ABYAN TA’IZ
Project Details With your support, Islamic Relief provided assistance focused on saving lives, alleviating suffering, and maintaining human dignity. This included food packs as well as medical supplies to thousands of internally displaced persons who were forced to flee conflict. Nutrition support was particularly provided to malnourished children as well as undernourished pregnant and nursing women. This was done in coordination with the Ministry of Public Health and Population, and through 26 health facilities and with the support of 120 health workers and health community volunteers. For each of the health facilities, our efforts also focused on rehabilitating access to clean water and ensuring better hygiene. Additionally, six clean water sources were set up for the community. This included the provision of medical supplies, training on hygiene and sanitation practices, construction of water systems, and the distribution of hygiene and cleaning kits. The project also integrated support and education around prevention of gender-based violence, as well as the promotion of better child protection. This was done by applying culturally-sensitive messaging and building on positive cultural norms.
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Thank You from Our Beneficiaries 45-year-old Yahya was displaced with his wife and four children. They were forced to move from the Mocha district in Taiz, where they left behind everything they had, including their house, farm, and other properties. Many conflictaffected households like Yahya’s are in need for food to survive, and are now living a very tough life. “We were happy and relieved before the conflict. Now our house is totally damaged therefore we had to move to Hodeidah where we can find safety and try to survive. We live in only one room with no windows. Even though our situation is hard, we are trying to cope with our new life. I only dream of a small house that gathers all my family members in one place, where we can feel peace. I want my children to go to school and study.
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“Our situation, like many displaced families, continues to deteriorate. I live in an every day challenge. When I moved to Hodeidah it was hard to find jobs due to the economic crisis. I started to wash cars but it is not enough and doesn’t cover my family’s essential needs. Sometimes, I cannot provide even one meal a day. It has been very difficult for me to watch my kids suffering from lack of food. I always think about them. Thanks to our brothers and sisters in Canada for providing food for my family and many others. I highly appreciate it. May Allah bless and reward them for their response. This will cover our needs for the whole month.”
In the worst moments of this emergency, you helped us respond quickly. Because of you, life-saving food supplies and clean water reached nearly 300,000 people. Our teams made every effort to implement holistic solutions that included education, disease prevention, and culture- and gender-sensitive programs. As a member of the Humanitarian Coalition and through the Government of Canada’s matching fund, we were able to double your impact. Because of your contributions, you made it possible for Canada to reach 750,000 more people.
WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU,
THANK YOU.
For these communities devastated by drought and conflict, we ask for your continued support. Together, we can help them survive and create a better future.
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3501 Mainway Burlington, ON L7M 1A9 www.islamicrelief.ca 1-855-377-4673 (HOPE) Registered Charity No. 821896875RR0001
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