NEWS FLASH - Hail the rain in Kenya
One of this week’s least known but most important news facts is probably the rainfall in the African country of Kenya. “Rain important?” I hear you think, looking at the grey European skies which have unleashed liters of water the last couple of winter months. “Why should the media report on such a common natural phenomenon as ‘rain’, while shit hits the fan everywhere?”
Let me tell you. At this very moment Kenya faces one of the biggest humanitarian crises the country has ever faced: Due to amongst other severe drought and failed crops over 3,5 million Kenyans are facing starvation and depend on food-aid. In December 2005 the number was 2,5 million. Rain is therefore essential for the near future of many people and for next years harvest. Very essential.
Unfortunately the rain only fell on the Kenyan capital of Nairobi and skipped the north of the country, which has been hardest hit by the drought. “Despite the rains it is too early to talk about the end of the drought... Overall, we're still in for a bad time," William Nyakwada from Kenya Meteorological Department said during a press conference.
According to World Food Program (WFP) executive director James Morris there is a big chance Kenya will not get rain needed for an adequate harvest. Morris added the drought had persisted for five to six years.
To my astonishment – this is not a brand new crisis but one that has started half a decade ago – the west hasn’t done anything. While many millions were collected for Katrina and the Tsunami, and while all eyes were focused on Afghanistan, the twin towers, Iraq nobody seemed to see what was going on in East Africa, despite the calls for help from different organizations. Nobody seemed to realize that one of the human biggest crises was developing in Africa. To compare: During the famine of Ethiopia in 1984, often called the worst humanitarian crisis ever, 8 million people became famine victims and 1 million died.
Despite the scope of the crisis, the international community is still hesitant to stick out a helping hand. The World Food Program (WFP) has received only $28 million of the $225 million it needs until February 2007 to buy 30 000 tons of food each month to feed 3,5 million hungry Kenyans.
So yes. Rain – for the future and survival for 11 million Africans – is important. Very important.
Miriam Mannak / Cape Town
Let me tell you. At this very moment Kenya faces one of the biggest humanitarian crises the country has ever faced: Due to amongst other severe drought and failed crops over 3,5 million Kenyans are facing starvation and depend on food-aid. In December 2005 the number was 2,5 million. Rain is therefore essential for the near future of many people and for next years harvest. Very essential.
Unfortunately the rain only fell on the Kenyan capital of Nairobi and skipped the north of the country, which has been hardest hit by the drought. “Despite the rains it is too early to talk about the end of the drought... Overall, we're still in for a bad time," William Nyakwada from Kenya Meteorological Department said during a press conference.
According to World Food Program (WFP) executive director James Morris there is a big chance Kenya will not get rain needed for an adequate harvest. Morris added the drought had persisted for five to six years.
To my astonishment – this is not a brand new crisis but one that has started half a decade ago – the west hasn’t done anything. While many millions were collected for Katrina and the Tsunami, and while all eyes were focused on Afghanistan, the twin towers, Iraq nobody seemed to see what was going on in East Africa, despite the calls for help from different organizations. Nobody seemed to realize that one of the human biggest crises was developing in Africa. To compare: During the famine of Ethiopia in 1984, often called the worst humanitarian crisis ever, 8 million people became famine victims and 1 million died.
Despite the scope of the crisis, the international community is still hesitant to stick out a helping hand. The World Food Program (WFP) has received only $28 million of the $225 million it needs until February 2007 to buy 30 000 tons of food each month to feed 3,5 million hungry Kenyans.
So yes. Rain – for the future and survival for 11 million Africans – is important. Very important.
Miriam Mannak / Cape Town
posted by Miriam Mannak at
14:39
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