Failed rains combined with increasing food prices, continuing conflict and limited humanitarian access have resulted in food and water shortages, acute malnutrition and mass displacement throughout the region. It is estimated that 2,000 people are crossing the Kenyan-Somalia border daily seeking assistance. The United Nations has designated the situation as a famine, highlighting the desperate need for food and potable water.

B'nai B'rith will support projects in cooperation with the Jewish Coalition for Disaster Relief.

“The breadth of this crisis is staggering, with millions of people whose basic needs are not being met,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said. “We must band together as an international community to provide food and water to a population utterly devastated by conflict and drought.”

In March 2007 B'nai B'rith provided funds for relief teams to provide humanitarian assistance to the Somali refugees fleeing violent conflict to Kenya. Relief items were distributed in the Daadab camps, home to more than 160,000 refugees.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this devastating famine,” B’nai B’rith Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “B’nai B’rith is poised to respond by providing immediate assistance to the drought-stricken population.”

To help, donate online at our secure website: http://bbi.convio.net/site/Donation2?1580.donation=form1&df_id=1580

Donations may also be made by mail to: B’nai B’rith International Disaster Relief Fund, Attn: East Africa, 2020 K Street, NW, 7th Floor, Washington, D.C., 20006.