Monday, July 4, 2011

Horn of Africa: The Worst Drought In 60 Years

Have you read the news about the worst drought in 60 years hitting Horn of Africa? It is said that more than 10 million people are now affected in drought stricken areas of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda and the situation is not at all improving even until 2012. Children being the most affected due to scarcity of food. Malnutrition rate is increasing in the worst affected areas. Though no figures to toll, it was reported that there is a high mortality rate among children. I can't help but think how poor these innocent children are. They're so helpless to alter their current situation and it is truly heart breaking.for mothers to see their children suffer from the intense result of the drought. How would you feel if you are living in one of these areas? And you see your kids losing health, strength and energy? What are you going to do?

Families and children are walking for weeks to reach refugee camps. Some were separated from their parents en-route to the refugee camps - barefooted and feet bleeding, exhausted and dehydrated. They are being driven there by one of the worst droughts in 60 years to hit the region. What's more, the war in Somalia brought food prices to soar unbelievably high and famine is just an arm's reach. An organization spokesperson said: "Some families have walked for over a month through sand and searing heat in search of food, water and shelter. Many discarded the few possessions they had along the way." SCF's Kenya programme director, Catherine Fitzgibbon, said: "Children have made long journeys in terrifying conditions, often losing their families along the way and arriving at the camps in desperate need of security, healthcare and a normal life."

How lucky we are that we live elsewhere and not there. How lucky we are that we can feed our children and pamper them with so many things. We all have the comforts you can think of. More often, we serve food on the table more than the whole family can consume. And then what? Throw the leftovers without realizing that somewhere in Africa people are suffering from an empty stomach and children dying because of hunger and malnutrition.

Let us hug our family and be thankful of what we have. Hug our children and teach them not to waste food and be contented of what we can give them. 


Share Your Blessings!!!










7 comments:

  1. Thanks for raising awareness with this post. When I think of walking for days through the hot with nothing left...it is beyond me. We must remember to be grateful.
    Thanks,
    From Voiceboks

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think it's very important that we teach our kids to appreciate what they're given too. Nice post. http://homesandbabies.blogspot.com Becky from VB

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for sharing such a heartbreaking story! We are all so blessed not to live in conditions like those and need to do what we can to help.
    Christina

    P.S. Visiting from voiceBoks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Many of these families don't even have the support from the government and get support from agencies and organization based solely on donations. I can't even imagine medications and hospitals in these places. THANK YOU so much for posting this.
    have a Great awesOme Day!!!
    Barbara
    Español para Niños (Spanish for Kids)
    www.facebook.com/jbplbarbara

    ReplyDelete
  5. following you back from voiceBoks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. It is so easy for me to get caught up in all the day to day "problems" of my life. When I read your heartbreaking post I couldn't help but be so profoundly grateful for all that I have and all that I can give my children. I just take for granted that I when they want water, food, medical care, I can just give it to them without any thought!! Thank you!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I know all of you guys who took time to comment have a kind heart. It's an eye opener for all of us. We really need to count our blessings now matter how small they are. Even if we are not financially able to help all these needy people, at least, lets offer a prayer for them.

    ReplyDelete