DEC warns East Africa faces hard road to recovery

16 Jul 2012 10:48 AM

One year after the launch of the DEC East Africa Crisis Appeal, the extraordinary generosity of the UK public has funded help to 2.3 million people in the region. But tough challenges still lie ahead, the DEC is warning.

Age International is the only organisation within the DEC network to specifically support older people following emergencies.

Marking the anniversary, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) accounced the final total given by the UK public was £79 million, making this one of the most generously supported appeals in the organisation's history.

The DEC is warning, however, that the road to recovery for many of the people in the region will be a hard one. Livetock numbers remain severely depleted, crops in many areas have withered after another season of poor rains and continuing conflict and insecurity in many parts of Somalia mean most displaced people are reluctant to return home.

'The road to recovery will be hard and uncertain'

The DEC's new Chief Executive Saleh Saeed, who has just returned from the region, said, 'The UK public can be justifiably proud of the contribution they have made through their donations to saving lives and relieving terrible suffering in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. There can be no doubt, however, that the road to recovery for the people of the region will be hard and uncertain, as erratic rains continue to blight many lives.

'Just last week I saw crops withering in the field in some areas, so we should not underestimate the importance of our continued support, which must come not just from existing DEC funds but also from other sources.'

Challenges delivering assistance

An evaluation by independent experts published in January 2012 found that overall the early stages of the DEC-funded response by its member agencies - including Age International - was efficient and effective. DEC members did, however, face considerable challenges delivering assistance, including serious issues with security and access to affected communities in southern Somalia and parts of eastern Kenya. Members will continue their support with DEC appeal funds until July 2013.

Many parts of Africa are chronically vulnerable to food crises due to a combination of poverty, conflict, an arid climate and political marginalisation. As a result, most of the DEC member agencies, including Age International - have substantial ongoing programmes in the continent, including work on disaster risk reduction.

You might also be interested in: