Food Crisis: Reaching the most vulnerable people

Across East Africa, hundreds of thousands of people are leaving their homes in search of food and security. With such large numbers on the move and in need of assistance, Handicap international is concerned that some people may fall through the cracks. Our teams in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somaliland are determined not to let this happen.

A needs assessment team in Somaliland meets a family displaced by drought and food shortages, May, 2017. | © R.Duly/Handicap International

Somaliland & Puntland

“A team has just returned from Hargeisa in Somaliland, which has been badly affected by drought and food shortages. The families they met there have left their land, crops and animals behind. Caring for children or relatives with disabilities in this environment is particularly difficult and we will do everything we can to make it a little bit easier,” reports Jeroen Stol, Programme Director.

Our Activities

Physical stimulation therapy for malnourished children.
Working with other humanitarian organisations to ensure that humanitarian assistance (food, water, healthcare) is accessible for everyone.

South Sudan

“It is currently very difficult to reach people most in need. Many roads are impassable after the rains and others are simply too dangerous. The people we work with are displaced, malnourished and traumatised, meaning that their health needs, both physical and mental, are huge,” says Paul Critchley, Programme Director.

Our Activities

Our ‘Flying team’ visits hard-to-reach areas to identify people with additional needs. They provide mobility aids such as crutches and wheelchairs, and make sure vulnerable people are included.
We train health partners and provide psychosocial support for people with mental health problems.

HI's activities in South Sudan are carried out with the support of European Union humanitarian funding.

Funded by European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid logo

Ethiopia

“We are dealing with several major problems at once. The East has been hit by severe drought and the West is receiving thousands of refugees escaping war and famine in South Sudan. Many of the refugees are women and children suffering from malnutrition,” explains Fabrice Vandeputte, Programme Director.

Our Activities

Physical stimulation therapy for malnourished children.
Working with other humanitarian organisations to ensure that everybody has access to safe water and food.
Protection of vulnerable and excluded people who may be at risk of exploitation.