Presbyterian Church in Ireland - Mission Overseas - News & Information - Item - Moderator's Appeal in aid of the EAST AFRICA CRISIS

Home | News & Information | Moderator's Appeal In Aid Of The EAST AFRICA CRISIS

Moderator's Appeal in aid of the EAST AFRICA CRISIS

8th August 2011

The Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Ivan Patterson, has today written to all congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland urging members to give generous support to help meet both the current and ongoing needs of people living in East Africa.

Millions are suffering acute starvation and many are dying each week because of the severe drought in the region.

Two consecutive seasons of poor rainfall have resulted in crop failures, livestock deaths and a massive increase in food prices. More than 10 million people are now affected - mostly in Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia.

The current drought, the worst since the 1950’s, has given rise to a severe food crisis with thousands facing starvation, disease and death.

Well over a thousand people every day, faced by drought in Southern Somalia, are attempting to reach Dadaab in Northern Kenya, now the world’s largest refugee camp with more than 350,000 people. Many of those arriving in the camp are acutely malnourished children, and a growing number are dying day by day.

In East Africa as a whole, more than 11 million people are threatened with starvation by the worst drought to hit the region in more than 60 years.

In Somalia, the situation is accentuated by internal conflict, and by the higher cost of food due to the ongoing global economic crisis.

The worst affected regions are Southern Ethiopia, and war torn Southern Somalia, where the UN has declared famine in a number of areas.

Significant areas of South Sudan and parts of Northern Kenya are also facing an increasingly critical situation.

Dr Patterson writes:

“On 8th July, the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), comprised of the leading relief and development agencies, launched a special appeal for the region.
Now, in early August, as many of our church members return from summer holidays, I as Moderator would take the opportunity to commend this appeal to you, asking that you respond with the characteristic generosity shown for previous appeals.
Funds will be channelled through our partners in relief and development, Christian Aid and Tearfund, and will also be forwarded to our partner churches in the affected areas as we learn more of their needs and plans to respond.
In anticipation of your generosity we are releasing immediately £20,000 each to Tearfund and Christian Aid, who will ensure that your contributions are used wisely both in the provision of immediate relief and for ongoing sustainable development in the regions worst affected. They will provide food, water, shelter and medical treatment, and therapeutic feeding for malnourished children.
It is vital that we respond now, so that farmers have the resources they need to plant crops in advance of the long-awaited rains due in November.
I do encourage you to be prayerful and to give generously that we may share in saving lives and restoring hope to the many who are suffering amidst this appalling situation.”

Download Moderator's Letter (pdf 164k)

How to Give

Congregational contributions may be sent to the Financial Secretary’s office in Church House, cheques being made payable to ‘The Presbyterian Church in Ireland’ and marked ‘East Africa Crisis Appeal’.

Where possible, members are encouraged to contribute through their congregations under the Gift Aid Scheme, with congregational treasurers sending in a total amount.

Those who wish to channel their donations direct, through Tearfund or Christian Aid, should send their contributions to their chosen charity (see links below).

Give through CHRISTIAN AID | Give through TEARFUND

Further Information

Using the Tearfund or Christian Aid links above, further information, updates and resources can be obtained, that should prove helpful in getting the facts and latest news across to members at congregational level.

See also the YouTube video links under Media Library on this website, and 'Related Information and News Links' (below).

Please Pray for:

All those currently suffering from, or expecting to face food shortages. Pray that they will get the humanitarian assistance they require in good time.
Aid agencies, especially our partners Christian Aid and Tearfund, and their partners in the region, as they continue their efforts to provide for all those in need.
Generous donations from governments, organisations and individuals around the world to pay for the food, medical care and practical assistance that is so desperately and urgently needed for all those affected by this crisis.