Drought-Affected Northern Kenya

By Abdulkadir Gumi*

Thousands of members of our communities in Northern Kenya are at risk from drought. Join us now to save their life! TOGETHER WE CAN BRING A LITTLE CHANGE TO OUR PEOPLE.

Dear Northern Kenyan friends, Oromo Communities, Youths and friends in Diaspora,

This is an appeal to your conscience and hearts to help thousands of children and families suffering in Kenya’s marginalized region, where our people live in desperate situation. If the rich is bailed out of their malpractices, we have a moral duty to rescue our own poor with what God has given to us.

Drought is threatening lives of people in Northern Kenya, especially Isiolo Marsabit and Moyale . About 80% of the estimated 205,000 people are at risk according to the local Red Cross office. Nearly 90% population lives below the poverty line with no access to water, health and food security. Malnutrition, starvation and anemic situation among women and children are common. The relief provided by the government is inadequate and inappropriate for the emaciated children and women. Two rainy seasons have failed, and the third is not any near. In fact, the weather forecast has predicted further doom as an El-Nino is likely to occur in the coming season. Lack of water and food is likely to worsen; therefore, our people are exposed to diseases and death.

Today, Northern Kenyan people not only face drought-related problems without any attention, but also face with different types of inhuman killings (due to conflict) by other drought-affected communities over water and pasture for livestock; killings in Isiolo are the evident in last weeks; some of this ethnic conflicts may be instigated by political motives.

If something is not done to avert this catastrophe, soon our TV screens will be flashing human devastation – which will be too late then, brothers and sisters.

To addresses this issue, concerned elites and youths from the region, but living in the Diaspora and those at home have linked up to form a response mechanism however small it is. From 15th July 2009, this group has held virtual discussion and started sensitizing and mobilizing other concerned friends like you.

We, as concerned Oromo Northern Kenyan people, find it necessary to take steps to come together or join hands to the assist our people. It is unconscionable to sit back and watch news of an escalating danger of drought, staring at our people and not be moved to do something positive or take action. The time to act is today! We all have the moral obligation to come together in unison to avert the impending peril clouding over our people everywhere in the globe. Our goal is to work to raise funds to assist in rehabilitating or constructing water points and ensure access to water as well as provide some medical services. In some situations, we need nutritional feeding to resuscitate seriously anemic individuals back to life. We want to join hands with local actors or institutions, such as the Kenyan Red Cross, which are doing a good job, but are overwhelmed by the demand.

We are now appealing to you: concerned Northern Kenyan friends and Oromo communities and friends, to join us in this noble cause and help our people by contributing any amount of fund to intensify the struggle of the poor in our community.

We believe if we pool our small contribution together, it will make a difference. We might not be able to save the region, but we can certainly make a difference in a family, a town, a village … Even a few dollars can make a difference. Let us join hands in rescuing the drought-ravaged lot in upper eastern of Kenya now – my brothers and sisters.

To start us off, we have contributed an amount of $1,100 and 3750 Kshs online. All collected funds will go directly to the affected people and it will be openly and transparently accounted to the public with professional managers who have volunteered to work on this.

This is a unique opportunity to help those less fortunate than us, and we look forward to getting your contributions. Charity starts at home, save life by donating $10 or more and be a part of this cause in giving back to our community.

Thank you in advance

Abdulkadir Gumi
Email: noorgumi2006@yahoo.com

To contribute, please call:

Adan Wario Kabelo
Grassroots Organizer +254-722165639
Email: adankabelo@gmail.com

Rehema Dida Jaldesa – the Wife of the late Dr. Guracha Galgalo
Grassroots Organizer +254725717544
email:rehemadida@yahoo.com

Thank you in advance for your support, and God bless you all.

*Abdulkadir Noor Gumi is a human rights activist who uses his own writings to express Oromo people’s sufferings in Oromia, Ethiopia and Kenya, and to fight against oppression and human rights violation. He serves the voiceless Oromo people of Northern Kenya and Oromia, defends their dignity and fights for justice. He can be reached at the following email address for any comments and feedback: noorgumi2006@yahoo.com or waasole@yahoo.com.