International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: In Kenya alone 222,720 children could die of starvation by Christmas
While the rain continues to pour down here in Australia, the Horn of Africa is facing its fifth consecutive year of drought with more than 20 million people facing the prospect of famine by Christmas. Kenya is one of the most impacted regions where 3.5 million people are starving, a number that is expected to increase to 4.4 million by Christmas.
According to the IPC, there are over 884,000[1] children under 5 years of age that are acutely malnourished. For 25% these children their situation has been classified as ‘Severe’ meaning if they do not receive adequate nutrition by Christmas their prospects of survival significantly diminish.
ChildFund is on the ground in Kenya helping families obtain critical food, water, and supplies. They do this by providing families with cash transfers so they can buy milk, food and other important supplies they require. Supporting these families with cash transfers offers them the opportunity to make decisions for themselves and raise their children in a dignified way.
Click here for vision of ChildFund in Africa – Kabale’s Story
Click here for vision of ChildFund in Africa – Drought
This year on International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the UN have themed the day ‘Dignity For All in Practice’. While ChildFund know that the crisis in the Horn of Africa is expected to worsen they believe that supporting these families with cash transfers provides them dignity and hope for a better future.
Margaret Sheehan Chief Executive Officer of ChildFund Australia has stressed the need for rapid response and is committed to delivering the funds that families need.
“We’re strong believers in ‘Dignity for All’, when we interact with effected communities, we want people to feel empowered to make decisions and choices that are right for them,” said Ms Sheehan.
“ChildFund is committed to working on the ground with the most vulnerable families to ensure that they have access to immediate direct cash transfers.”
“Evidence shows that cash transfers improve food security at the household and community level and can have positive impacts on the health, nutrition, and care of children. Our programs puts decision making back into the hands of parents of families experiencing high levels of distress and disruption, enabling families to recover faster and children to return to education and their daily routine.”
Anyone interested in donating to ChildFund and supporting their efforts to alleviate poverty in the Horn of Africa please head to /appeals/hunger-crisis/
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For all media enquiries, please contact:
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[1]IPC International Food Security Phase Classification, “Kenya – ASAL – IPC Acute Food Insecurity and Acute Malnutrition Analysis”, 28 September 2022
ChildFund Australia says that the war in Ukraine has created a humanitarian crisis on the doorstop of neighbouring countries which is having a devastating impact on children and families. ChildFund Australia CEO, Margaret Sheehan is available to comment on this today.
ChildFund is working in partnership WeWorld to assist children and families fleeing from the war in Ukraine and arriving on the border of Moldova.
We are providing protection, education and psychosocial support alongside the creation of child-friendly safe spaces (CSS) to offer welcome respite from the distress of escaping war. Shelter; food; hygiene and women’s dignity items; mental health and psychosocial support to children, their caregivers and other adults; positive parenting awareness/skills; gender-based violence awareness raising and referrals.
ChildFund Australia CEO, Margaret Sheehan says “In the 25 years of work in this sector, I have never witnessed an emergency that has escalated at this scale over just a matter of weeks. This includes indiscriminate shelling; the targeting of civilians, hospitals, and schools; forced evacuations; and mass scale displacement.”
As millions flee Ukraine and enter neighbouring areas, we’re seeing the highest number of refugees per capita entering Moldova. There are currently over 50,000 refugee children in Moldova and this number will only increase as more Ukrainian families look for safety.
The number of people arrived in the Republic of Moldova stands at 381,395, making the hosting country the one with the highest number of refugees per capita: there are 1,369 refugees per 10,000 in Moldova.
Women and girls are the majority and account for two thirds of Ukrainians people displaced in Moldova; 84% of people are travelling with children. Women make up 80% of the adult population of refugees (18+)
ChildFund Australia CEO, Margaret Sheehan says, “We remain concerned about chronic food insecurity, levels of gender-based violence (always a factor where there is conflict and displacement) and long-term impacts on children.
“ChildFund is working alongside WeWorld and other aid organisations in providing food, psychosocial support, education and hygiene essentials, with particular attention given to children and babies who need baby food, formula and nappies.”
ChildFund Australia welcomes the recent announcement of $2 million in aid provided by the Australian Government towards the on-the-ground-work of the Emergency Action Alliance, (an alliance with 15 Australian INGOs) including ChildFund Australia.
“There are millions of people who are relying on the support of the international aid community to survive.
“As Australians we know far too well how to work together during times of crisis and hardship. I recognise that many Australians are facing their own difficult situations with chronic flooding. But I ask those Australians who can give – to donate to the Emergency Action Alliance Ukraine Appeal.
“We ask for your support as together we continue our work in Moldova assisting babies, children, young people and families. – Margaret Sheehan, CEO ChildFund Australia
To donate today, visit emergencyaction.org.au or call 1300 939 000
ChildFund Australia CEO, Margaret Sheehan, is available for comment.
Media Contact: Amelia Brock, 0430 187 161
