For Immediate Release
August 9, 2011
The humanitarian crisis in East Africa is reaching epic proportions and calls for sustained immediate support to help save the lives of women, children and men literally on the brink of death. Successive seasons of failed rains-combined with increasing food prices, conflict, and limited humanitarian access-have resulted in a humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people in East Africa. To this end, the Government of Canada has created the East Africa Drought Relief Fund.
Through this Relief Fund, the Government of Canada will match the generosity of Canadians. For every dollar individual Canadians contribute to registered Canadian charities responding to the East Africa drought, from July 6 until September 16, 2011, the Government of Canada will set aside one dollar for the Fund. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will allocate these funds to established Canadian and international humanitarian organizations for humanitarian assistance efforts that benefit the people most affected by the drought.
The fund provides effective and accountable financial support to experienced Canadian and international humanitarian partner organizations working in the affected areas of East Africa.
“The immediate suffering of starving people must be the first order of business” stated Morel Caissie, CASW President. “I encourage all social workers not to let prospect of militias' profiteering from aid to stop them from participating in the Governments matching donations Relief Fund for East Africa as it is hard to see what other alternative there is than to attempt to get as much food and support in as possible.” Click here to access the East Africa Drought Relief Fund.
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For more information:
Fred Phelps, MSW, RSW
casw@casw-acts.ca