Cardinal O'Brien urges Scottish public to support SCIAF's Emergency Appeal

The Horn and East of Africa is in urgent need of support to avoid widespread starvation in the wake of the drought crisis. Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien has urged the Scottish Public to give whatever they can.

SCIAF has launched an emergency appeal to help deliver aid to thousands affected by the drought. It is believed that the drought may be the worst to hit the affected areas in more than 60 years. It has left large numbers of people in desperate need.

People queue for food in Mogadishu (Photo: Reuters/Feisal Omar, courtesy Trust.org - Alertnet)

Cardinal O'Brien is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SCIAF and has made this appeal:

"From our relatively wealthy country of Scotland we cannot imagine the true horror of facing starvation. Yet this is the reality which thousands of men, women and children are facing. Ten million people are currently affected by the drought in the Horn and East of Africa.

"Many are abandoning their homes because their crops and livestock have died and their water sources have dried up. Families are walking for days on end without food, in blistering heat, in the hope that they will find help so that they can stay alive.

"In the face of this terrible crisis I believe it is important to remember that every single person affected is a member of our human family and that we have a responsibility to care for them in any way we can. SCIAF has been working across this region for many years and together with it's partners on the ground, is well placed to provide emergency aid to large numbers of people in need.

Cardinal O'Brien has called for support (Photo: Paul McSherry)

"That is why I would ask everyone to give whatever assistance they can to SCIAF's Horn and East of Africa emergency appeal, so that we can come together and help our brothers and sisters at this extremely difficult time."

Major food and water shortages, crop failure and the widespread death of vital livestock are the products of the continued failure of seasonal rains. There are reports of high levels of malnutrition amongst children and large numbers have been forced to move away from their homes in search of food, water and shelter.

It is of the utmost importance that urgent needs for food, water, medicine, hygiene packs and shelter are met without delay. With YOUR help SCIAF can work towards meeting these needs for those affected by the drought.

You can donate today to SCIAF's Horn and East of Africa Emergency Appeal here or by calling 0141 354 5555

(Please note that SCIAF is not a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC))

SCIAF

Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund

Cardinal O'Brien urges Scottish public to support SCIAF's Emergency Appeal