- Conference
- 2012 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 20 September 2011
- Decision
- Carried
EAST AFRICA – FOOD CRISIS APPEAL
More than 10 million people in East Africa are facing desperate food shortages following the worst drought in 60 years. Rains have failed or successive seasons and families across Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia are struggling to find anything to eat or drink. Hundreds of livestock have already died.
The East African nation of Kenya is experiencing a severe drought, crops are failing and people are struggling to feed their families.
The food security situation in Somalia has estimated 2.4 million people in crisis, with the ongoing drought, deteriorating purchasing of power, rampant conflict and limited humanitarian space continue to aggravate the situation in most parts of the country.
Jane Cocking, Oxfam Humanitarian Director said “this is the worst food crisis of the 21st century and we are seriously concerned that large numbers of lives could soon be lost. People have already lost virtually everything and the crisis is only going to get worse over the coming months we need funds to help reach people with life-saving food and water”.
Oxfam have appealed for world wide support and are helping communities look for more sustainable sources of water, by drilling boreholes, developing motorised water systems and improving traditional harvesting systems. In the driest and worst affected areas they are trucking in emergency water supplies to over 32,000 people. The water is being used for drinking, cooking, washing and keeping animals alive.
Each person gets at least 5 litres of water per day – the bare minimum that people need. Community health workers are also conducting public campaigns to help stop the spread of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea.
Conference calls on the National Black Members Committee to:
Request a donation from UNISON’s international Committee of £5000 to be sent to the people of East Africa through our international affiliated groups working in this area.
Request that the National Black Members Standing Orders Committee agree a bucket collection at this years’ conference 2012 to send to the people of East Africa through our international affiliated groups working in this area.
Keep the plight of the East Africa people on the National Black Members bulletins and regular updates given through Black Action and other UNISON materials.