Mission Aviation Fellowship is on standby to assist in the famine relief efforts in East Africa.
The drought has become increasingly severe across parts of northern Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia. Multiple failed or sporadic rainy seasons has led to failed crops over the past few years. As widespread famine becomes an increasingly grim prospect, the global media has picked up on it.
Present relief efforts are focused on the refugee camp at Dadaab, northern Kenya, where the current influx of Somali refugees is swelling its population by 1,000 per day. The UNHCR has established methods of bringing supplies to this centre.
We understand that the international response to this situation is still in its early stages, and relief agencies continue to survey the needs on the ground.
People living in the remotest villages where infrastructure is lacking are often a long way from distribution points, and are compelled to walk considerable distances. It is to such communities where MAF’s fleet of light aircraft could be most effective as the response gathers pace.
We have received an increasing number of flight requests from organisations that are involved in the needs assessment of the situation in the Horn of Africa. We continue to stand ready to respond as the international relief effort gathers pace.
Please pray for those most vulnerable to hunger, and that food will reach those who most need it.