PRESS RELEASE
Salvation Army Provides Water to Drought-Hit
Communities in Kenya
July 25, 2011 – As the drought crisis in East Africa causes worldwide concern, The Salvation Army is responding to the situation using its local knowledge and personnel to provide immediate relief. There is currently no Salvation Army work in Somalia or Ethiopia so the focus for now is on northern Kenya.
Assessments carried out by The Salvation Army's Kenya West Territory and government sources have shown that the nomadic people of the Turkana region of northern Kenya face widespread starvation. Three rainfall seasons have failed, livestock has died, milk production has dropped and food stocks are depleted.
Water is scarce, with people in the region having to travel on average more than three kilometres to access water. Schools are closing because they lack funds to pay food and water bills.
The Salvation Army is initially addressing the water situation, using water tanks pulled by tractors. The tractors and tanks were bought in 2005 as part of a previous service project. Water will be collected from boreholes and large water tanks on Salvation Army properties and taken to communities and schools in Turkana.
Funding of almost $50,000 from The Salvation Army will cover fuel and maintenance costs for two tractors for six months, as well as paying staff costs for drivers and assistants. Some of the funds will improve storage facilities of schools and villages. The project's implementation follows consultation with the Kenyan Government, local officials, the Red Cross and Oxfam.
This project will provide around 5,000 villagers and 2,000 schoolchildren with clean, safe water. This will have further benefits of decreasing the distance travelled to fetch water and reducing the risk of women being abused as they seek water in isolated locations.
The Salvation Army's two Kenya territories are continuing to monitor the situation in the north of the country. Representatives of The Salvation Army's International Emergency Services are preparing to head to Kenya to help with further assessments and preparations.
The Salvation Army serves in more than 100 countries and provides both immediate emergency assistance and long-term recovery help in the event of any disaster. Funds for The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Services come from corporate and private donations given specifically for disaster relief. To volunteer with The Salvation Army or to make a credit card donation, call 651-746-3400 or 1-800-SAL-ARMY. Checks made out to The Salvation Army may be sent to 2445 Prior Ave., Roseville, MN 55113. Click below to make an online donation. Be sure to designate your gift "Africa Drought".
