Help East Africa

The famine in East Africa has killed tens of thousands, and more people are dying every day.

A devastating drought across the region, plus war, neglect and spiraling prices have all contributed to what is now the worst hunger emergency in a generation.

In some areas of Somalia more than half the children are severely malnourished - and one-in-three could die.

You can make a difference.

You Can Help

Donations to registered Canadian charities will help to provide food, clean water, shelter and health services that will save lives.

For every dollar Canadians contribute to a registered Canadian charity responding to the East Africa drought, the Government of Canada will set aside one dollar for the East Africa Drought Relief Fund. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) will allocate these funds to established Canadian and international humanitarian organizations for humanitarian assistance efforts that benefit the people most affected by the drought. The government will match eligible donations made from July 6 until September 16 2011. If you would like more information about the Fund, donating and fund raising criteria please visit East Africa Drought Relief Fund

Here is a list of experienced humanitarian organizations working in the region:

The Humanitarian Coalition
The Humanitarian Coalition is a network of Canadian NGOs determined to unite in cases of humanitarian crises. The Humanitarian Coalition is formed by five of Canada's leading aid organizations: CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Qubec, Plan Canada and Save the Children Canada.

UN World Food Programme
WFP is targeting the most vulnerable individuals with much-needed food. They aim to reach nearly 6 million people in the coming months.

UNICEF Canada
UNICEF is on the ground in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable children and families. Their life-saving interventions and expertise for nutrition, immunization, water and sanitation, education and child protection are delivered on a mass scale, in coordination with the UNHCR and WFP.

Canadian Red Cross
Money raised will go to support the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the region, both providing emergency relief and helping people recover their livelihoods.

Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders has worked in the camps at Dadaab for 14 years. They offer medical services in Dagahaley camp, providing a general hospital and five health posts.

Mennonite Central Committee
MCC is committing $1.2 million through Canadian Foodgrains Bank to support two food-for-work programs in Kenya that will have short- and long-term benefits. Kenyans will be paid with cooking oil, maize and beans for their construction of 92 sand dams and 25 wells. In Ethiopia, MCC funds are expected to be used for supplemental food for children under age 5 and lactating or pregnant women.

World Vision Canada
World Vision is providing emergency aid, including food, water, shelter and health care, to more than 3 million people in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia and Tanzania.

Note: CBC does not endorse these organizations nor is this a complete list of registered Canadian charities or Canadian charities collecting funds for drought relief. Consult the Canada Revenue Agencys Charities List for more information.