19th July, 2011
AMREF: Invest in long-term solutions to reduce impact of drought on communities
With over 50 years of working with communities in some of the most remote and marginalised parts of Africa, AMREF is keenly aware of the current effects of the drought on the communities we work with.
AMREF has stepped up activities to increase access to clean water and sanitation facilities for communities affected by the famine in order to prevent outbreak of diseases like cholera and diarrhoea, which would only add to the suffering. AMREF medical outreach teams are also focusing on treatment of malnutrition and diarrhoea in refugee camps in northern Kenya. We are currently seeing increased malnutrition among women and children, more diarrhoeal diseases and measles due mainly to the ongoing food shortages in those affected by the drought.
While emergency relief is important in ensuring minimal loss of life in the present, AMREF is keen to establish long-term strategies to reduce the vulnerability of communities to increasingly frequent and severe climate-related disasters.
The greatest effects of the famine on these populations include malnutrition, impoverishment and loss of life. AMREF is also concerned about the effects of the famine on already vulnerable populations. It is evident that the famine will continue to have consequences on the health of communities long after the food shortage has ended.
Thus, while emergency relief and other short-term measures are important in stabilising the communities and ensuring minimal loss of life in the present, AMREF is keen to establish long-term strategies to reduce the vulnerability of communities to increasingly frequent and severe climate-related disasters. This can only be done effectively and sustainably by building capacities within communities and helping them to establish or strengthen structures and systems that minimise the effects of famine, especially on their health.
In the medium-term, AMREF will implement measures to address chronic malnutrition, inadequate safe water, poor hygiene and sanitation, and related diseases. In the longer term, we want to contribute to improved and sustainable health of the communities and ultimately their quality of life, in collaboration with governments and other partners.