How To Help Victims of the East African Famine

As the world watches the famine spread through eastern Africa, many in the DC area are wondering how they can help a region in desperate need of emergency aid.

Meanwhile, those in Northern Virginia's Somali community hold their breath, waiting for any news concerning family members who may be among the thousands of refugees. 

More than 13 million people, especially children, are in dire need of food, water and medicine, due to one of the worst droughts in 60 years, according to the World Food Programme.  The WFP estimates that 1,200 Somali refugees are pouring into Kenya each day, while another 200 desperate families are crossing the border into Ethiopia. 

The Somali Family Care Network is a Fairfax-based non-profit that helps Somalis refugees settle into American society.

Farrah Hussein, SFCN Project Coordinator, says many in the local Somali community are doing their best to keep abreast of the unfolding situation on the ground, which remains fluid. 

“Many are trying to communicate with whatever family members they can reach to obtain information on the whereabouts of others,” says Hussein.

Hussein says the Somali community is currently organizing several fundraisers to “raise money for Somali non-governmental organizations on the ground to alleviate the suffering and provide essential resources.”

President Barack Obama approved $105 million in famine aid for East Africa.  Meanwhile, the International Red Cross is asking donors for 86 million dollars to help the people of Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, and the American Red Cross has pledged up to a million dollars.

And while governments and most well-known relief organizations are stepping up, so are many Fairfax County residents.

Cheryl Kravitz, with the American Red Cross National Capital Region, says they have already received calls from people who are searching for ways to help.  Kravitz says, in situations like this, the best thing you can do is donate. 

“It’s important that we have the financial ability to help people who are in dire emergencies down the street, across the country and around the world,” says Kravitz.  

Here are the easiest ways to donate to some of the major relief organizations with volunteers and staff already on the ground in Africa:

• International Red Cross
  Select Somalia and proceed to the online donation process
• American Red Cross
  Donations can be directed to the area with the greatest need, such as Somalia
• World Food Programme
  Donate $10 by texting the word AID to this number 27722
  Charges will appear on your next bill
  Go here for larger donations
• World Vision
  Select your dollar amount and proceed to the online donation process