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UNICEF urges donors to support drought appeal for Horn

Wednesday, 7 June 2000: UNICEF urged international donors to support the urgent appeal made today by the United Nations for drought relief in the Horn of Africa.

UN relief agencies and partners are seeking $378 million to address the immediate humanitarian needs of more than 13 million people affected by the drought, about 70 per cent of whom are women and children. The appeal covers urgent needs in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia and Djibouti.

The UNICEF portion of the appeal totals some $30 million and addresses needs in the areas of health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education and services to meet the special needs of children.

"We are already geared up and working full speed throughout the region," said Carol Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF. "We stand a good chance of saving lives, but it will require sustained action for several months. For that we need strong donor support -- and we need it now.

"This drought did not begin yesterday and it won't end tomorrow," Ms. Bellamy added. "That's why support for our ongoing relief efforts is so crucial. The needs are enormous."

UNICEF noted that it had already advanced some $11 million from its own resources and from the UN Central Emergency Revolving Fund to jump-start relief activities. Since February, these advances have enabled UNICEF to deliver anti-malarial drugs, oral re-hydration salts, antibiotics, and vaccines to fight measles and other childhood diseases. In addition, UNICEF has supported supplementary feeding activities for malnourished children, the delivery of drinking water and the rehabilitation of water systems.

UNICEF has mounted nine separate relief flights into the Horn since April, including four to Eritrea, three to Ethiopia, and one each to Kenya and Djibouti. Each flight carried up to 40 tonnes of relief supplies, principally therapeutic milk and biscuits for malnourished children, medical equipment, and water purification and storage items. Two more relief flights are due to arrive in Eritrea next week.

UNICEF noted that the bulk of its relief supplies are being procured locally within each country, speeding delivery and supporting the local economy. Such supplies include blankets, plastic sheeting, jerry cans, sanitation items, and school supplies.

UNICEF said that of its $30 million appeal, less than $8 million had been received or indicated so far. Ms Bellamy noted that in addition to recouping the funds UNICEF has already advanced, strong donor support is necessary to ensure a full and timely response over the next several months. "We invested in the relief effort early because it was absolutely essential to save lives," Ms. Bellamy said. "Now we're counting on donors to come through for both UNICEF and the children of the Horn."

UNICEF's appeal for the Horn breaks down as follows: