http://192.168.2.14:8080/theHumanitarianCoalition/p1-290708/development/website/index.php en maxime.michel@humanitariancoalition.ca Copyright 2012 2012-04-04T14:14:57-05:00 http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/opinion_sahel_food_crisis_affecting_mali_too/ http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/opinion_sahel_food_crisis_affecting_mali_too/#When:14:14:57Z Embassy Magazine has published an opinion piece by the HUMANITARIAN COALITION on insecurity and the looming food crisis in Mali. The article is available at the following link: http://embassymag.ca/page/printpage/letters1-04-04-2012 (subscriber only) In response to your article on the recent developments in Mali (RE: "Mali coup connected with NATO Libya conflict: Fowler," March 28), I would like to draw attention to one aspect of the situation in Mali, one that you rightfully mentioned: the issue of food security in the region. Indeed, the recent turmoil in Mali is a cause of concern for many in the development and humanitarian community. At the time of the military coup, erratic rainfall, endemic poverty, low crop yields, and rising food prices were already combining to create an escalating crisis across the entire Sahel region. The warning signs are clear and should not be ignored. But can aid agencies continue to implement their programs while a possible takeover of the country by the military is taking place? The simple answer is yes; the more complex question is how. At this point, there is no indication that Mali's military leaders intend to interfere with the delivery of aid programs. While the Canadian government has suspended its disbursement of assistance funds to the Mali government, it has not withdrawn its financial support for NGOs working in the country. This is a much-welcomed distinction, one that will enable experienced humanitarian agencies to continue to run programs that are needed to avert the worst; to help save lives as the drought and food crisis, and now possible political crisis, contribute to high levels of hunger among vulnerable populations. The governments of Mali, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and the Gambia, have declared a state of emergency. All are appealing for help from the international community. At the Humanitarian Coalition, our member agencies (CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada, Save the Children Canada) are hard at work in the Sahel region, and most of them have been in Mali for several years. Ongoing projects in the areas of food security, education, and women's empowerment are supporting local resilience and coping mechanisms to help vulnerable communities counter the effects of food shortages. This is exactly the kind of work that Canada and the international community need to fund, and expand, if we are to avert the worst of a looming crisis. Finally, following last week's federal budget, the Humanitarian Coalition will be interested to find out all the details of the announced cuts to foreign aid. While it does not appear at this point that Canada's humanitarian assistance commitments for disaster relief will be adversely affected, we remain keen observers of this file. If these are times of austerity for Canadians, they are certainly times of grave challenge for at-risk populations in Mali and the Sahel region as a whole. Nicolas Moyer Executive Director Humanitarian Coalition Ottawa, Ontario 2012-04-04T14:14:57-05:00 http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/editorial_act_quickly_to_avert_african_famine/ http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/editorial_act_quickly_to_avert_african_famine/#When:15:37:09Z TheStar.ca has published an opinion piece by the HUMANITARIAN COALITION on the looming food crisis in the Sahel region of Africa. The article is available at the following link: http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorialopinion/article/1155579--act-quickly-to-avert-african-famine   Hunger in the Sahel region is increasing at a dangerous pace. Already, the United Nations estimates that more than 10 million people in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger are at risk of hunger. Across the region, erratic rainfall, endemic poverty, dangerously low food reserves and rising prices for staples are combining to create an escalating crisis. The warning signs are both clear and growing. The longer we wait for additional evidence, the larger the scale of the suffering. A review of the international emergency response to last year’s drought and famine in East Africa, where 2.6 million people received humanitarian aid, confirmed yet again the need to intervene earlier to avoid a full-blown catastrophe. A joint report (A Dangerous Delay) issued in January by Oxfam and Save the Children provides an insightful road map for improving the timeliness and effectiveness of relief aid. Together, the members of the Humanitarian Coalition (CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada, Save the Children Canada) are heeding the report’s foremost recommendation: Act decisively and early. With long histories in the region, we are all present in the countries worst affected by this drought and are mounting responses to the unfolding situation. In Chad, Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and the Gambia, national governments have declared an emergency, and are appealing for help from the international community. In February, the Canadian International Development Agency announced it would commit $41 million to support nutrition and food assistance programs in the Sahel. The Humanitarian Coalition members welcome this decision. But more will be needed to avoid a repeat of the East Africa scenario in 2011. The government of Canada can, and should, play a leading role by raising the alarm across the global community and acting without delay to ensure an effective international response. Agencies already on the ground are well-positioned to mobilize quickly and adapt to the particular nature of respective local environments. This translates into more tailored responses, making better use of available resources. We have been working in the Sahel for decades. Having developed wide-ranging networks in the region, we are established front-line responders with trusted expertise, respected in the communities where we work. We are already addressing the urgent needs of vulnerable communities in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger, but will need additional funding to avert the worst. It is also worth noting that ongoing development work, such as establishing water treatment systems, delivering health services, and nutrition education, directly contributes to saving lives before, during, and after emergencies. These projects are essential to the well-being and sustainability of vulnerable populations, and they require funding as well. While a full-blown crisis attracts more attention with vivid images and stories of severely malnourished children, it is by acting before the situation reaches that point that more lives can be saved. The Humanitarian Coalition exists for the very purpose of responding quickly and effectively to large-scale disasters, when thousands of lives have been lost or are in direct peril. We have not reached that extreme in the Sahel yet, but it is only by bringing attention to the unfolding situation now that we collectively stand a chance of averting the worst. By giving early, Canadians can help. The members of the Humanitarian Coalition can push back hunger in the Sahel. Why wait? This time, let’s act before even more people’s lives are at stake. Patricia Erb , President and CEO, Save the Children Canada Robert Fox , Executive Director, Oxfam Canada Rosemary McCarney , President and CEO, Plan Canada Kevin McCort , President and CEO, CARE Canada Pierre Véronneau , Executive Director, Oxfam-Québec 2012-04-03T15:37:09-05:00 http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/worsening_food_crisis_in_west_africa/ http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/worsening_food_crisis_in_west_africa/#When:18:43:27Z The Sahel region of West Africa is an area of growing concern for humanitarian organizations. Erratic rainfall, endemic poverty, dangerously low food reserves, and rising market prices are combining to create an escalating crisis. According to the latest UN estimates, more than 10 million people in the region are at risk of hunger. Early warning signs are clear and history shows that ignoring them will only increase and prolong the suffering of affected communities In Chad, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and the Gambia, national governments have declared an emergency, and are appealing for help from the international community. We must learn from the famine of 2011 in East Africa. While the public’s response was extremely generous, most humanitarian agencies were not as quick to mobilize as they could have been had the alarm been sounded earlier. A review of the international emergency response to the crisis offered incontrovertible confirmation of the need to intervene earlier to avoid a full-blown catastrophe. A joint report (A Dangerous Delay ) issued in January 2012 by Oxfam and Save the Children provides an insightful road-map for improving the timeliness and effectiveness of relief aid. Together, the member agencies of the Humanitarian Coalition (CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada, Save the Children Canada) are heeding the report’s foremost recommendation: Act decisively and early. With long histories in the Sahel region, they are already present and hard at work in the countries worst affected by the unfolding food shortage crisis. To find out more about what the member agencies of the Humanitarian Coalition are doing to respond to the situation, or to make a donation to support their efforts, please visit their websites at the links below. And tell a friend! CARE Canada Oxfam Canada Oxfam-Québec   Plan Canada Save the Children Canada To stay informed of the situation, visit our member’s website regularly by following the links above and follow us on twitter at @humcoalition. Click on the image below to see a map and key indicators of the crisis. 2012-03-29T18:43:27-05:00 http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/need_a_source_on_the_food_crisis_in_the_sahel/ http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/need_a_source_on_the_food_crisis_in_the_sahel/#When:17:32:48Z February 15, 2012 (Ottawa, ON) – Humanitarian agencies are raising the alarm about a drought and food crisis that is unfolding in the Sahel region of West Africa.  Early indicators already reveal that a food crisis is affecting many localised areas across the region in 2012.  The countries most affected are Niger, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad. A catastrophic combination of a failed harvest, regional instability, and soaring food prices has left nearly 10 million people at risk of hunger. The region is facing a large-scale humanitarian disaster if immediate action is not taken to prepare appropriate responses. In Niger alone, 5.4 million people are at risk of hunger; at least 1.3 million of those are in critical need of food and assistance now. Following on the heels of a major drought and famine in East Africa in 2011, the situation in the Sahel region of West Africa could be severe unless early and effective action is taken now. It is not too late to avert the worst impacts or to protect populations from what is coming.  The international community must act now to support national plans and preparedness programs and to ensure communities are equipped to make it through the looming food crisis. The HUMANITARIAN COALITION is comprised of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada, all of which are already responding to the current Drought Crisis in Africa’s Western Sahel region. Speak to a representative in Canada about the crisis and what Canadians can do to help, or members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION on the ground responding to the disaster.  Canadians can support early response and prevention efforts for the food crisis in the Sahel by contacting any of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION members directly. CARE Canada: Kevin McCort, CARE Canada President and CEO (En/Fr ) Johannes Schoors, Country Director, CARE Niger (En/Fr ) Oxfam: Robert Fox, Executive Director, Oxfam Canada, Ottawa (En ) Julie McHugh, Humanitarian Project Officer, Oxfam-Québec, Montreal (Fr/En ) Charles Bambara, Oxfam Regional Media Officer, Senegal (Fr/En ) Fatima Ibrahima, Oxfam-Québec’s representative in Niger (Fr ) Plan Canada: Dr. Tanjina Mirza, Vice-President of International Programs (En ) Save the Children Canada: Patricia Erb, President and CEO (En/Spa ) Dr. Bonzi Mathurin, Burkina Faso, Country Director (Fr ) Jeremy Stoner, Regional Director West & Central Africa  (En ) About the HUMANITARIAN COALITION With a combined presence in more than 120 countries, members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION work together to reduce unnecessary competition, better educate the public on humanitarian needs and reduce administrative costs. Uniting the forces of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION communicates to Canadians with one voice on major humanitarian crises as they happen around the world. -30- For interviews, please call: CARE Canada Alison Frehlich 613-799-7562 media@care.ca Oxfam Canada Juliet O’Neill 613-240-3047  (cell) juliet.oneill@oxfam.ca   Oxfam-Québec Justine Lesage 514- 513-0013 lesagej@oxfam.qc.ca     Plan Canada Abigail Brown 647.971.3764   abrown@plancanada.ca   Save the Children Cicely McWilliam 647-291-1683 (cell) cmcwilliam@savethechildren.ca     2012-02-15T17:32:48-05:00 http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/dangerous_delay_report_released/ http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/dangerous_delay_report_released/#When:05:01:24Z East Africa: Thousands of lives and millions of dollars lost due to late response to 2011 food crisis. Lessons learned can help prevent future disasters and save lives. Thousands of needless deaths occurred and millions of extra dollars were spent because the international community failed to take decisive action on early warnings of a hunger crisis in East Africa, according to a new report by the international aid agencies Oxfam and Save the Children. “This report is a timely reminder given that it comes ahead of global meetings at Davos and the African Union” said Nic Moyer, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Coalition. “The agencies that make up the Humanitarian Coalition are already raising the alarm about a looming food crisis that now threatens millions of people in West Africa.  International donors must learn from past experience. Action must be taken before hunger turns into famine.” The report, A Dangerous Delay , says a culture of risk aversion caused a six month delay in the large-scale aid effort because humanitarian agencies and national governments were too slow to scale up their response to the crisis, and many government donors wanted proof of a humanitarian catastrophe before acting to prevent one. Sophisticated early warning systems first forecast a likely emergency as early as August 2010 but the full-scale response was not launched until July 2011 when malnutrition rates in parts of the region had gone far beyond the emergency threshold and there was high profile media coverage of the crisis.  Save the Children and Oxfam say more funding for food emergencies should be sought and released as soon as the crisis signs are clear, rather than supporting large-scale emergency work only when hunger levels have reached tipping-point. By that time lives have already been lost and the cost of the response is much greater. The agencies call on governments to overhaul their response to food crises, as laid out in the Charter to End Extreme Hunger (http://hungercharter.org ), a document that has already received backing from key international figures.  “Early action saves lives,” said Robert Fox, Executive Director of Oxfam Canada. “It’s irresponsible for governments to wait for the public to push them to act when they know the need and the risks months before the crisis makes headlines. Droughts happen when the rains fail. Hunger happens when governments fail – when they don’t give enough support to small farmers and don’t move fast enough to support families at risk.”  "That a serious food crisis was developing was known months before TV crews were on the ground in the refugee camps,” said Save the Children’s CEO Patricia Erb. “Children don’t have to face acute malnutrition because we know the steps that must be taken to avert this kind of disaster. First we need to improve early warning systems and second we need to empower the UN to release funds before crises turn into humanitarian catastrophes.” Although it is impossible to calculate exactly how many people died as a result of drought, the UK government estimates that as many as 100,000 lives were lost between April and August 2011, more than half of them children under the age of five. Today, Somalia remains the most acute food crisis in the world, with hundreds of thousands of people at risk.    Some early action did take place. But overall, the scale of crisis outstripped these efforts and late intervention cost more. For example, trucking five litres of water per day to 80,000 people for five months in Ethiopia costs more than $3 million, compared to $900,000 to prepare water sources in the same area before a drought occurs.  Such a proactive approach would mean more lives saved and less money spent. It is an approach that should be embraced at a time when accountability, aid effectiveness and proven outcomes are the focus of governments around the world. Click here to download a copy of the report, A Dangerous Delay .   - 30 - About the HUMANITARIAN COALITION With a combined presence in more than 120 countries, members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION work together to reduce unnecessary competition, better educate the public on humanitarian needs and reduce administrative costs. Uniting the forces of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION makes donating easy for Canadians. For further information or for broadcast-quality footage and photographs of the East Africa crisis and response, please contact:   Oxfam Canada Save the Children Juliet O’Neill 613-240-3047 (cell) juliet.oneill@oxfam.ca Cicely McWilliam 647-291-1683 (cell) cmcwilliam@savethechildren.ca 2012-01-18T05:01:24-05:00 http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/were_hiring_a_communications_coordinator/ http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/were_hiring_a_communications_coordinator/#When:14:54:39Z The HUMANITARIAN COALITION has an exciting opportunity for a bilingual Communications Coordinator . JOB DESCRIPTION Title: Communications Coordinator Location: Ottawa preferred, alternate locations possible in Toronto and Montreal Position type: Full-time Contract period : 1-year renewable Salary: To be discussed Start Date: February 2012 Are you looking for an exciting new challenge to apply your communications skills to save lives and help survivors of humanitarian disasters? The HUMANITARIAN COALITION has an exciting opportunity for a bilingual Communications Coordinator . 1. SCOPE OF POSITION Reporting to the Executive Director, this position is part of a dynamic team committed to raising awareness about humanitarian issues and our members work.  The Communications Coordinator will support the development of the overall communications strategy of the HC and be responsible for its implementation . This position is also responsible for developing all communications material for the Humanitarian Coalition in both official languages.  During emergency appeals the Communications Coordinator becomes the point-person for all Humanitarian Coalition media activities. Tasks assigned to this position will include, but are not limited to, supporting the design and drafting of communications plans, website content, drafting of media releases, newsletters and any other communications material of the HC (annual report, social media, speeches, editorials, Q&As, etc.), contacts with the media, developing/improving communications procedures for appeals and organising media events. Dedicated, versatile, creative and committed to excellence, the Communications Coordinator will employ a variety of public relations tactics to engage members and stakeholders in a concerted communications strategy and implement successful national-scale appeals for assistance in support of humanitarian disaster survivors around the world. The ideal candidate is a motivated self starter and strategic thinker. S/he is a skilled writer in French and English, who has demonstrated experience in media relations, publications or marketing initiatives. Working knowledge of national media, social media tools and exceptional project management skills are required. Experience overseas is a definite asset. 2. QUALIFICATIONS: University degree in journalism, marketing, communications or related field  Professional experience in marketing/communications and project management with a PR agency, corporation or nonprofit organization Bilingualism, written and oral, English/French is required and will be tested in the selection process.  Proven ability to write clear, concise and compelling prose — articles, press releases, op-eds, ad copy, blog posts and email alerts etc. Demonstrated success in writing, editing and coordinating production of publications to tight deadlines Demonstrated success initiating proactive media relations programs Dynamic presentation and facilitation skills and experience in community building on and offline through events, trainings, campaigns etc. Exceptional project management skills First hand experience using social media  Solid copy-editing skills, strong attention to detail Applicable knowledge of relevant computer software (Microsoft Office Suite); Highly organized and works well independently; Tact and discretion; Adaptable and flexible to evolving work requirements; International and/or Humanitarian experience an asset; Willingness and ability to travel, sometimes on short notice. 3. ABOUT THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION The Humanitarian Coalition (HC) is a coalition of five Canadian non-governmental agencies (CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada) with decades of experience in humanitarian assistance, aid and development who undertake united emergency appeals. The HC and its members have developed joint emergency appeal mechanism and capacity in Canada that seeks to provide donors with an easy way to give, educate the Canadian public, strengthen the humanitarian response sector and make a substantive contribution to reducing the suffering and affirming the rights of those affected by humanitarian crises.  To find out more, visit our website at: www.together.ca 4. APPLICATIONS If you are interested in joining a dynamic international humanitarian organization, please submit your résumé and cover letter by January 19, 2012 by following the link below: http://www.careersunited.org/job.asp?ID=3484 All applicants must be eligible to work in Canada. We thank all applicants in advance, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. 2012-01-11T14:54:39-05:00 http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/philippines_typhoon_washi/ http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/philippines_typhoon_washi/#When:13:00:12Z Ottawa, ON - Tropical storm Washi struck the Philippines during the night of 17 December, causing severe flooding, damaging homes and roads and affecting tens of thousands fo people.  Cities on Mindanao Island were worst hit by this catastrophie.  HUMANITARIAN COALITION member agencies, CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada, are all carefully monitoring the situation in the Philippines and are preparing appropriate humanitarian relief activities.Member agencies are carrying out assessments across the region and will be revising their response plans as the situation evolves. The information from these assessments will determine the types of programs and scale of funding support that will be required to assist those affected by this crisis. For more information, please refer to the member agency websites at the links below: CARE Canada Oxfam Canada Oxfam-Québec Plan Canada Save the Children Canada 2011-12-19T13:00:12-05:00 http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/pakistan_flooding_2011/ http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/pakistan_flooding_2011/#When:13:36:31Z Ottawa, ON - HUMANITARIAN COALITION member agencies, CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada, are all carefully monitoring the situation in Pakistan as severe flooding affects large parts of the country and are preparing appropriate humanitarian relief activities.In this complex and rapidly evolving crisis, HUMANITARIAN COALITION member agencies are determining how they can best provide assistance, including urgently needed food, water and medical supplies. Flooding in Sindh and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan has already affected over seven million people. This is the second year of flooding in the regions, hitting many people affected by last year's floods.  Member agencies are carrying out assessments across the region and will be revising their response plans as the situation evolves. The information from these assessments will determine the types of programs and scale of funding support that will be required to assist those affected by this crisis. For more information, please refer to the member agency websites at the links below: CARE Canada Oxfam Canada Pakistan Flood Relief Oxfam-Québec Plan Canada Save the Children Canada 2011-09-22T13:36:31-05:00 http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/133m_people_affected_by_eafrica_crisis_humanitarian_coalition_urges_canadia/ http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/133m_people_affected_by_eafrica_crisis_humanitarian_coalition_urges_canadia/#When:14:00:35Z Ottawa, ON (September 14, 2011) – 13.3 million people are now affected by the crisis in East Africa, according to the United Nations. Providing timely and effective assistance is of utmost importance with the disaster reaching catastrophic levels. As the federal government’s donation match period comes to a close on September 16, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION urges Canadians to take advantage of the opportunity to have their generosity matched, ensuring that their gift does double the work on the ground.The HUMANITARIAN COALITION members – CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada – will continue to base their emergency responses in East Africa on meeting the most urgent needs of survivors. Emergency programs include the delivery of safe drinking water, food, shelter materials and hygiene kits. “Having just returned from Kenya, I can assure Canadians that they can be confident their donations are being put to immediate and effective use by all members of the Humanitarian Coalition,” said Kevin McCort, President and CEO of CARE Canada .  “We will continue to safeguard your donations despite the enormous challenges we face.” “I have witnessed, firsthand, the impact of our life saving efforts,” said Robert Fox, Executive Director of Oxfam Canada . “The need continues to be great but, by acting quickly and by giving generously, Canadians are making a real difference.” “We are in critical emergency response mode now and help is needed urgently,” said Rosemary McCarney, CEO of Plan Canada , from Ethiopia. “But recovery in East Africa will take well into 2012 and while we assist families in need now, we also continue our long-term risk reduction work for climate-dependent livelihoods. The continued support from Canadians means we can pursue immediate and long-term humanitarian responses to help people survive today and in the months to come.” “Just having come back from the Dadaab Refugee Camp, I have seen the need of the children,” said Patricia Erb, President and CEO of Save the Children Canada . “Children arriving alone at the camp find food and water but also face the possibility of abuse and exploitation, which is why Save the Children is working to protect them through a foster parent system and safe Child Friendly Spaces”. The Canadian Teachers’ Federation , a supporter of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION, has called upon its affiliate members and individual teachers to raise awareness of the crisis among students. “The need for donations to East Africa is still great and heightened awareness is integral to continuing the momentum of the fundraising campaign,” said Paul Taillefer, President of the Canadian Teachers’ Federation. “I invite every Canadian teacher to help students understand this crisis and to provide the guidance necessary to help them become engaged global citizens.” Bell Canada has been an ongoing supporter of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION’s global relief efforts through a number of in-kind contributions and, most recently, a $250,000 corporate donation to support the work of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION in East Africa. Bell Media has also supported the campaign with a multi-platform public service announcement campaign spanning all of its media properties, from television to radio to online. By working together with one call centre and one donor website, HUMANITARIAN COALITION members can decrease the duplication of fundraising efforts so more Canadian donor dollars are spent where they are needed most. About the HUMANITARIAN COALITION With a combined presence in more than 120 countries, members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION work together to reduce unnecessary competition, better educate the public on humanitarian needs, increase the impact of Canadian humanitarian responses and reduce administrative costs. Consisting of CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada, the HUMANITARIAN COALITION makes donating easy for Canadians. To donate to the HUMANITARIAN COALITION, call 1-800-464-9154, log onto together.ca or send donations to THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION at P.O. Box 7023, Ottawa, ON, K1L 5A0. -30- 2011-09-14T14:00:35-05:00 http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/member_updates_from_east_africa/ http://humanitariancoalition.ca/index.php/site/member_updates_from_east_africa/#When:18:40:13Z Ottawa, ON (August 24, 2011) - Canada’s leading humanitarian organizations and members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION are working in East Africa and are providing urgently needed relief to the most vulnerable people affected by this crisis, including women, children and the elderly.HUMANITARIAN COALITION members have raised over $7.7 million from the Canadian public for relief efforts.  A further $8.5 million has been allocated to three members (CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada and Plan Canada) from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The humanitarian needs in East Africa are huge and food security conditions continue to worsen in many areas. The United Nations has identified that the response to this crisis will require $1.4 billion over the coming months.  The response from Canada and the world must continue to be generous. In response to the crisis, here are just a few examples of what HUMANITARIAN COALITION members have done so far with the funds raised: CARE is reaching 1 million people in East Africa. In Kenya, CARE provides food, water, primary education and psychological support to over 400,000 residents in the Dadaab refugee camps and is working with 305,000 people in north-eastern Kenya to reduce long-term vulnerabilities. In Ethiopia, CARE is providing emergency food and water, and implementing livelihood assistance such as seed distribution. CARE is also reaching families in Northern Somalia with water source rehabilitation and livelihoods support. Oxfam is reaching over 700,000 people in Somalia with clean water, sanitation and public health promotion to prevent diseases like cholera and acute watery diarrhea (AWD). In Ethiopia, Oxfam is delivering clean water, rehabilitating water points and distributing hygiene kits, while in Kenya Oxfam is reaching over 700,000 people with water, sanitation and supporting people’s livelihoods with cash and food for work programs. Pla n’s most immediate efforts in helping over 260,000 people in Kenya and more than 1 million people in Ethiopia includes providing critically needed high-protein and calorie-rich food supplements to children, breastfeeding moms, and pregnant women suffering from malnutrition. Plan is also providing supplementary feeding to needy households and families; delivering medicine; trucking clean water to health facilities and schools; and providing medical training for health workers.  Save the Children is supporting 1.4 million people in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia; providing food, water, medicine, livelihood support and by protecting children. Save the Children is distributing water and improving water supply and sanitation facilities in health clinics and schools.  Save the Children is conducting child protection activities, placing unaccompanied children with foster parents and responding to cases of child abuse and neglect. - 30 - 2011-08-24T18:40:13-05:00