Update: Famine Response

Hi jay: I wanted to keep you on top of what we're doing in Somalia. Below is an update on our activities: ARC Response to the Somalia Famine:  Update (19 August 2011) Clean Water for 50,000 in Rajo Camp – the Mayor of Mogadishu is preparing a large camp for 50,000 people who have fled the famine and walked to Mogadishu. The Camp is called Rajo or Hope! Over the last 10 days the American Refugee Committee has constructed a water system throughout the camp, to provide clean drinking water to the 50,000 people who will move in over the coming weeks. The system takes water from a large elevated tank and uses gravity to pump water through a system of pipes to taps spread in strategic locations around the camp. Clean water is essential for life and health! It’s also part of our fight to stop Cholera spreading through the people who have come to Mogadishu seeking safety and protection. Above: Waterpoint hardware at Camp Rajo. Below: The water tank at Camp Rajo before it is lifted into place. Sanitation for 50,000 in Rajo Camp – The American Refugee Committee with our partner ARAHA is also building latrines and washing facilities throughout the camp! Construction has started on the first block of five latrines; the remaining nine blocks (totaling 50 latrines) will be built over the next week along with facilities to help people with washing and laundry. Sanitation like this is absolutely critical! Clean water and sanitation are the very things that fight to stop diarrhea and cholera from spreading. Above and below: Tents at Camp Rajo Volunteers in Action – Our first Somali volunteer has arrived in Mogadishu and is already helping in Benadir Children’s Hospital. Doctor Ismail Mualin from San Diego (formerly from Minnesota) is directing our efforts to support the children’s wing of this hospital. Starting tomorrow the team will be providing emergency supplies, including simple things like stretchers, bedding, utensils and mosquito nets! Alongside this the team is working with the hospital’s medical staff to get urgently required medical equipment, staff and medicines. Doctor Ismail is only the beginning additional volunteers are being mobilized to go in – starting with experts in Pediatrics! Above: A Facebook status update from Dr. Ismail on his work at Benadir Hospital. Stay tuned for more updates from us on the Somalia Famine Response. Sincerely, -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth President, American Refugee Committee www.ARCrelief.org

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