Famine in Horn of Africa - Trade Unions acting in solidarity

Issued on July 22, 2011 at 09:55 AM



On 20 July, the United Nations (UN) declared a state of famine in parts of southern Somalia - highlighting a crisis that has killed tens of thousands of people, and urging the international community to greater action. UN officials have described the drought as the worst humanitarian crisis in the troubled country in two decades.



The crisis arises from low rainfall (the lowest rainfall rates in half a century) and sharp increases in food prices - meaning that available food has become unaffordable for many people. The protracted conflict in Somalia has aggravated the situation, and has hindered access for relief agencies. The famine declaration comes months after U.N. and other aid agencies began sounding the alarm about a devastating drought in the Horn of Africa, where an estimated 10 million people need help.



IMPACT gives €60,000 for famine relief



On 29th July 2011 the IMPACT trade union has donated €60,000 to the Concern emergency appeal for East Africa. The money comes from the union's Developing World Fund, which is made up of 3% of all the union's membership subscriptions. Since the establishment of the fund, IMPACT members have donated over €5.5 million to projects in the developing world. Over €500,000 was donated in 2010 alone.
Most of the money from the fund goes to medium and long term projects aimed at supporting education, community development and trade unions in the developing world. But the union also makes donations to emergency appeals like Concern's East Africa famine initiative.
IMPACT's Central Executive Committee has also urged the union's branches to consider making donations to the famine appeal from their own funds.
Concern has staff and volunteers providing water, food, blankets, cooking equipment and other essentials in each of the three countries. You can get more information about the famine and Concern's appeal here



For more information, see:



How you can help - listing the Irish agencies that are working in the region, and providing information on what people in Ireland can do to help the victims.



For news updates on the crisis - here and



Irish Aid release on the crisis



The Dóchas blog with background information about development cooperation and humanitarian assistance.