Somalia has been described as one of the poorest and most violent states in the world. It lies in the eastern-most part of Africa, bordered by Djibouti to the northwest, Kenya to the southwest, the Gulf of Aden with Yemen to the North, the Indian Ocean to the east and Ethiopia to the west. It has the longest coastline on the continent and its terrain consists mainly of plateaus, plains and highlands. Year-round, it is very hot with periodic monsoon winds and irregular rainfall.
Somalia was once an important centre for commerce with the rest of the ancient world. However during the Middle Ages,
several powerful Somali empires dominated the regional trade and in the late 19th century, the British and Italians gained control of parts of the coast. In 1991, the Somali Civil War broke out and, since then, no central government has controlled the country despite several attempts to establish a unified central country.
In December 2004, Somalia was struck by a massive tsunami. The huge waves are believed to have stirred up tons of nuclear and toxic waste which might have been illegally dumped in the country by foreign firms. This resulted in higher than normal cases of respiratory infections, mouth ulcers and bleedings, abdominal haemorrhages and unusual skin infections among the inhabitants – diseases consistent with radiation sickness.
Today, Somalia is experiencing the worst famine the world has witnessed in a generation - the region’s worst drought in 60 years and the most serious food crisis since the famine in Somalia in 1991-1992. The United Nations has estimated that a quarter of the Somali population is now displaced, that is, approximately 1.5 million people and more than 10 million are in dire need of food assistance. Without this basic need, they can die of starvation. The demand for food is urgent and getting adequate assistance to the region in time has been tough.
Malnutrition has increased by more than 30% and the death rate among drought-stricken Somalis arriving at a refugee camp in Ethiopia has reached several times above levels seen in emergency situations. The UN believes that at least $2.4Billion is needed to help victims of the drought.
As at August 2011, thousands have been killed by the famine and hundreds of thousands are threatened, resulting in UNICEF launching a mass vaccination campaign against polio and measles. The famine has now spread to three new regions of Somalia with Uganda being threatened to fall victim to severe food shortages. To make matters worse, the refugee camps are being raided by armed gangs who steal the relief food.
The US has agreed to increase its aid to Somalia to $580 Million. Klassicare would like to make a difference. Imagine if you were in Somalia. Could you imagine what it would be like to actually see your loved ones dying from illness and starvation? How would you feel? How would you cope with it? It is not too late. You can make a difference. All we ask of you is to make a contribution towards a worthy cause.
Remember, no contribution is too little…no contribution is too much.
Please lets help someone in need.
Klassicare thanks you sincerely for your kindheartedness.
God’s blessings.
