Demand outstrips supply in world’s biggest aid camp

From The Church Times-

THE POPULATION in the Dadaab refugee camp in eastern Kenya is estimated to have swelled to about 450,000. About 1000 refugees continue to arrive each day at the camp, which is the world’s biggest, as the drought in the Horn of Africa goes on.

The associate director of World Vision in Kenya, Tobias Oloo, visited the camp last week. It opened in 1991 and was intended to hold 90,000 people. He said that a stream of weak and malnourished refugees were still flooding into the camp, mainly from Somalia.

World Vision, in partnership with Shelter­Box, has donated 5000 tents. Mr Oloo said that they were also providing new arrivals with kits containing cooking utensils and mosquito nets. “No one knows the exact number [of refugees], but it’s more than 400,000. People keep coming in. There are many women and children who are sick and tired and malnourished. Some have TB.
“There are a number of ‘push’ and ‘pull’ factors. One ‘push’ factor is the conflict in Somalia, while the ‘pull’ factor is the security and food on offer in Kenya.”

He said it was vital that the root causes of the disaster be addressed by aid agencies and world governments. A political solution to the conflict in Somalia needed to be a priority, and food-security programmes needed to be improved in the region, so that “we do not find ourselves in this situation again.”

More here-

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=117124

Jacuzzihidive to Hold Concert at Local Church to Benefit Somalia Relief Efforts

From New York-

Nearly 500,000 children in Somalia are on the brink of starvation and drought is increasing the numbers of deaths each day.

The Christ Episcopal Church in Clayton has been following the crisis and doing their part to raise money through a concert for their Episcopal Relief and Development Organization. They have invited Jacuzzihidive to play a benefit concert where all money raised will be sent to Somalia to help with current relief efforts.

The band will be playing at the Christ Episcopal Church, 412 Hugunin Street in Clayton, starting at 8 p.m. until 11 p.m. Cost to attend consists of a suggested $5 donation to go towards raising money for Somalia relief efforts. Other donations will be accepted at the event.

North Country Native Aram Blassingame and Aily Iglesias, originally from Puerto Rico, make up the members of Jacuzzihidive, a digitally collective band that works to synthesize past, present and future sounds.

More here-

http://www.myabc50.com/news/local/story/Jacuzzihidive-to-Hold-Concert-at-Local-Church-to/-t0sbz71cEO_5U10vIEOQA.cspx

Bishop says Somali piracy is 'fight back' against globalisation

The Anglican Bishop in the Horn of Africa, has said that piracy in the region is “almost an industry” and is a way for Somalis to “fight back” against injustices caused by globalisation.

In recent weeks, attacks by Somali pirates have risen markedly and drawn the attention of the media – particularly after the capture and then miraculous rescue of American cargo ship captain Richard Phillips. A second ship carrying donated food to Rwanda for World Vision was attacked last earlier in the month by pirates off the coast of Somalia. No one was hurt in the attack and the ship was later allowed to continue to its destination.

The Rt Rev Andrew Proud, who is currently visiting the UK, is the suffragan to the President-Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East, the Most Rev Mouneer Anis and is based in Ethiopia.

“My understanding is that, in the last 20 or 30 years, there has been a lot of illegal fishing off that coast, and perhaps nuclear waste being dumped, and this had led to the people wanting to fight back,” he said, according to the Church Times.

“It’s got to the stage where it’s [piracy] almost an industry. They are highly organised pirates, although it does surprise me they are able to take these ships over.

“It’s a lawless region, and it’s part of wanting to have a piece of the cake. Globalisation works two ways. It’s profoundly depressing, but life is so tough for the people living there.

“After the Ethiopian army went in, people left in droves. Somalis are desperate to settle down and have some stability, but I can’t see that happening.”

More-

http://www.christiantoday.com/article/bishop.says.somali.piracy.is.fight.back.against.globalisation/23175.htm