Goto main content

Food Crisis: Reaching the most vulnerable people

Emergency
Ethiopia Somaliland South Sudan

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.

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.

East Africa Food Crisis appeal

Stand with disabled and vulnerable people facing imminent famine. Please donate today

Date published: 11/05/17

COUNTRIES

Where we work

Read more

Together, we nurture hope
© HI
Emergency Health

Together, we nurture hope

Psychologist Nataliia has been working in Ukraine for Humanity & Inclusion for a year. On the fourth anniversary of the start of the conflict, she describes the current situation for ordinary people displaced from their homes on the frontline who are now living in new areas which are still far from safe, with unexploded ordnances and other dangers. She says they are exhausted and discouraged. But there are positives.

HI helps earthquake victims in the Philippines regain their independence
© M. Liberato / HI
Emergency Rehabilitation

HI helps earthquake victims in the Philippines regain their independence

Memoración and Vena were forced to spend their nights in precarious conditions. Humanity & Inclusion provided them with proper sleeping facilities, mobility devices, and rehabilitation care.

In Sri Lanka, 1.6 million people affected by Cyclone Ditwah
© PM Mohamed Aqeel / HI
Emergency

In Sri Lanka, 1.6 million people affected by Cyclone Ditwah

At the end of November, South Asia was hit by a series of cyclones and exceptionally intense monsoon episodes.

FOLLOW US