Special collections will take place at all Masses across Ireland this weekend, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July, in support of people currently affected by the devastating hunger crisis in east-Africa. Severe drought, driven by climate change, is currently affecting Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia and this has resulted in failed harvests and the widespread death of livestock.
Trócaire, the overseas development agency of the Catholic Church, is currently delivering emergency food, water and health care to the 25 million people affected. Church authorities and Trócaire will channel the collection towards those suffering as a consequence of the east-Africa hunger crisis. The affected region has been compounded by the conflict in South Sudan and Somalia, with areas in both countries now on the verge of famine. In Somalia alone, 1.4 million children face life-threatening severe malnutrition this year.
The United Nations has described the situation in the drought-ravaged parts of Africa as the greatest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War. Trócaire has a long-standing presence in all four affected countries and is working with local communities to deliver life-saving aid, including food, water and healthcare, to hundreds of thousands of those worst affected.
ENDS
Notes for Editors
- A Trócaire commissioned advertising campaign is currently promoting awareness about the devastating hunger crisis in east-Africa. Donations to Trócaire’s east Africa hunger crisis appeal can be made at trocaire.org or by phoning 1850 408 408 (Republic of Ireland) or 0800 912 1200 (Northern Ireland). Further information is also available from Trócaire’s website trocaire.org/parishes.
- Photographs for publication purposes are available in high resolution and these images were taken at Trócaire’s health centre in Gedo, Somalia: https://www.flickr.com/photos/trocaire/albums/72157684746386306
- For media contact:
– Mr Eoghan Rice, Head of Communications, Trócaire, Maynooth, [email protected], phone: +353 1 6549113 and +353 862071942
– Catholic Communications Office, Maynooth: Martin Long +353 861727678
