Famine

Halimah

Hamila Abdi her son walked for 7 weeks before recently arriving at Dadaab refugee camp.

AFSC staff Christine Mbito spoke with refugees in Dadaab on her trip July 25-28.  Here is Halima Abdi’s story, as told by Christine.

“Farah (the translator) and I met Halima Abdi, a new arrival, in Hagadera camp. 

“Halima had just arrived from Afmadow, a city in southern Somalia, located in the middle of the Juba region bordered by Kenya. The journey was very harsh for her youngest child, who is just now is looking like his usual self.

Asha Horn of Africa

Asha (far left) and her family shared their shelter with another family who arrived earlier that morning.

AFSC staffer Christine Mbito spoke with refugees in Dadaab during her trip July 25-28. Here is Asha’s story, as told by Christine.

“Asha, a widow, and her five children agreed to talk to us when we found them at the Ifo Camp; seated in a temporary shelter they constructed themselves from two blankets--their most prized possessions. She gives thanks to God she and all of her children arrived safely from Shabelle Region in Somalia. They have spent two nights in the camp and are waiting to be issued a tent by the humanitarian agencies.

refugees standing in line waiting for aid

Refugees standing in line waiting for aid to be dispersed.

Photo: Christine Mbito

Donate today.

Countries in the Horn of Africa are facing the worst food crisis in the world today and Somalia is the hardest hit.  According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, drought, conflict, and skyrocketing food prices have produced this tragic situation.  The UN has declared a famine that affects southern Somalia.  This is a rare designation and its use highlights the severity of the crisis.

Somali refugees arrive in Dadaab

Somali refugees arrive in Dabaab Refugee camp hoping to find shelter like the structure at the rear.
Photo: UNHCR/A. Njuguna

Donate today.

Support AFSC’s work providing humanitarian service and building peace in Somalia and the surrounding region.  The Horn of Africa has the most severe food crisis in the world today.  The combination of drought, conflict, and skyrocketing food prices has created the most acute humanitarian crisis for Somalis in the past decade.