Support for Somalia Builds Locally

As the lives of millions of people in Somalia hang in the balance, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency is gearing up to reach out to hundreds of thousands of those the sick and starving.

“More than 10 million people in East Africa are in dire need of humanitarian aid as a result of diminishing food sources stemming from the recent rise in food prices and severe drought that has overwhelmed the region,” ADRA officials said to its Facebook followers. “ADRA is responding, providing life-saving water, food and emergency supplies to some of the most vulnerable.

The United Nations has declared a famine in the two regions. Images of weary mothers with sick and dying children in their arms have begun to make their way to the screens.

It is the first time since 1991-92 that the UN has declared famine in a part of Somalia, said officials with the United Nations.

“Consecutive droughts have affected the country in the last few years while the ongoing conflict has made it extremely difficult for agencies to operate and access communities in the south,” UN Officials said. “Nearly half of the Somali population – 3.7 million people – are now estimated to be in crisis, with an estimated 2.8 million of them in the south.”

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon estimated $300 million is needed in the next two months to provide an adequate response to famine-affected areas, officials said.

“We need donor support to address current needs and prevent a further deterioration of the crisis,” he said, after addressing the Security Council on the impact of climate change on international peace and security. “If funding is not made available for humanitarian interventions now, the famine is likely to continue and spread.”

ADRA is present in our towns thanks the churches in Loma Linda, Redlands, Banning and Beaumont. Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church. And they are asking the public for donations.

If you would like to help through ADRA, visit their website.

Other organizations leading the charge to help East Africa:

• UNICEF 
• The American Red Cross
• Catholic Relief Services, call  (800) 736-3467 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Time. By mail send checks or money orders Catholic Relief Services, memo: East Africa Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. Or donate online.
• Lutheran World Federation

Those interested in the Adventist communities efforts may contact:

• Banning Seventh-day Adventist, 2369 West Nicolet St. Banning. (951) 849-2030
• Beaumont Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1343 Palm Ave. Beaumont. (951) 845-2366
• Loma Linda University Seventh-day Adventist Church, 11125 Campus St. (909) 558-4570
• Campus Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church, 11057 Hill Drive, Loma Linda. (909) 796-0222