Once again, many lessons can be learned from this crisis: the importance of preparing and strengthening the capacity of communities to prevent or mitigate disasters and to cope with future, and often predicted, emergencies; the importance of an early warning system which is backed up by the international capacity and funds for an early response; the importance of building on viable existing structures in communities and strengthening accountable governance.

In August, the Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa convened an ecumenical meeting in Nairobi to discuss the current emergency and responses from the faith communities. Their resolutions included collaborative action to open up the humanitarian space to reach vulnerable communities within Somalia. They also focused on the need for an integrated regional strategy to help pastoralist and marginalised communities to develop secure livelihoods. The Anglican Church of Kenya has also highlighted the urgency of getting seed to the areas bordering the crisis, so that subsistence farmers can plant this month and prevent the emergency spreading. These issues reflect crucial aspects of the short and long-term solutions to the crisis.

I am therefore pleased to be able to send a director of Christian Aid, Mr David Pain, as a delegate to this significant meeting. The Anglican Churches in Great Britain and Ireland are sponsoring churches of Christian Aid. The Anglican Church of Kenya is also a long-standing Christian Aid partner. They are working closely on the humanitarian response through the ACT Alliance and on the long term development solutions to the food crisis in the Horn of Africa. I witnessed some of this vital work on my provincial visit to the Anglican Church of Kenya in June this year. Therein lie seeds of hope.

It is my hope and prayer that this meeting will bring fresh energy and focus to the crisis, that it will establish new opportunities for ecumenical collaboration and that it will lead to actions which deliver tangible and enduring impact in vulnerable communities — so that they can say with confidence, alongside a committed international community, 'Never again'.

[01387-02.01] [Original text: English]

Good morning.

Having lived and worked in this part of Africa for over 35 years I am deeply saddened to witness again a tragedy of biblical proportions that is unfolding. I thank the Holy Father for calling the Church's and the world attention to the plight of hungry and distressed people across the Horn.

Catholic Relief services, working with the local Church and the Caritas organizations at the Diocesan and national level, as well as other Catholic, Non Catholic and host Governments we have been helpful in bringing short and long term interventions to communities and families in distress.

In an immediate response to the situation facing the people of the Horn, including both Somalis both in Somalia and those who have had to flee the country for safety and survival in neighboring countries we have committed to expand our long tern development and assistance Programs over the next 12-18 months.

This is over and above and in addition to the many programs that reach to millions of people. All of this is done with and through the local Church and other associate agencies and groups both national and International in the countries that comprise the Horn.

As Bishop Bertin has mentioned the problems in Somalia are complex, pervasive and persistent. There solutions demand intelligent, sophisticated, thoughtful and persistent attention. The international community basically gave up on Somalia in 1993. It was placed in the category of "Failed State" and was placed in the category "must be contained" rather than "must be doubly engaged" because the solutions are complicated. Now almost twenty years later the consequence are visible.

Our call is for a focus, determined, engagement for a just peace in Somalia.

In its neighbors we know from years of experience that investments in improved water, sanitation, agriculture research, and applications can make a powerful difference in the lives of the poor Africans in the rural areas. Never has this been clearer than now. We can point to villages and communities where investments in water, improved sanitation, improved and tested agricultural practice, better access to credit, and a focus on woman as important breadwinners has shown that while there in a bad drought the resilience of communities who have been engaged by the Church in some improved scale interventions have shown themselves to be more resilient to the impact of this drought. But the problems persist, our contribution while significant cannot bring about a full solution.

But likewise we have seen the negative impacts of where the full and free practice of religious freedom has been curtailed by governments and groups that their people suffer.

In the year 2011/2012 in is a mark of shame on us as a people that hundreds of thousands are allowed to suffer and die of hunger, disease and deprivation because it is difficult or complicated for us as more wealthy. While millions in my country suffer from job lay offs, loos of jobs, homes and income, I can only expect that their compassion for those who suffer at deaths door after weeks of journey under the harshest of conditions could not be underestimated.

Your prayers, your engagement and your generosity are most appreciated.

[01389-02.01] [Original text: English]

● INFORMATIVE NOTE ON THE EFFORTS AND COMMITMENT OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE HORN OF AFRICA

In Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, and surrounding countries, a severe drought, conflict and lack of governments have led to massive numbers of people going hungry. Famine has been declared in several districts of Somalia. Because goats and cattle are dying of thirst and starvation, people who herd livestock are losing their source of food. Particularly in Somalia, hundreds of thousands of children are malnourished. This present situation represents the peak of a long-term process.

Hundreds of thousands of Somalis have left their country, often on foot, for refugee camps in neighboring Kenya, Ethiopia, Yemen and Djibouti. They are fleeing starvation and armed conflict.

Herdsmen are moving farther into new territory to graze their livestock, encroaching on land traditionally used by other communities. In some parts of the region, local fighting has broken out over water and grazing.

Villagers are cutting down trees to sell for fuel or are migrating to already overburdened cities where it is very difficult to find work. Herdsmen are selling off livestock to buy food, which damages their future livelihoods. The late and erratic rain has changed the yield times for crops, leaving farmers confused as to when they should plant.

According to a 30 September report by the United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 13 million people in the region are in need of emergency assistance. Particularly in Somalia, hundreds of thousands are at risk of death without urgent intervention. In Ethiopia, due to the combined drought, crop and livestock losses, millions of people will not have enough to eat or enough water for the next 3 to 6 months.

In detail, the number of persons involved in this serious humanitarian crisis is:

-Somalia: 4 million people of a population of 7.5 million

-Ehtiopia: 4.6 million people of a population of 80 million plus 280,000 refugees

-Kenya: 3.75 million people of a population of 40 million plus 560,000 refugees

-Djibouti: 147,000 people of a population of 885,000 with over 19,000 refugees

The Catholic Church is present in the Horn of Africa, not only with the direct support of Pope Benedict XVI given through the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum", but also through the international Catholic organizations that operate in the front line in Eastern Africa. These include:

- World-wide collection of funds

- Local Catholic dioceses and parishes

- National charitable organizations like Caritas Somalia, Caritas Kenya, Caritas Djibouti and Caritas Ethiopia are involved in operations in support of the population together with numerous local partners.

- Caritas Internationalis and several of its members such as CRS , Caritas Italiana, Caritas Germany, Caritas of England – Wales (CAFOD), Caritas Luxembourg, Trocaire, SCIAF,  Caritas Spain, Caritas Mexico, and several members of Africa.

- Manos Unidas

- Malteser International from the Sovereign Order of Malta

- Jesuit Refugee Services

- Several religious orders and congregations and other  Catholic organizations such as the Vincentian family

There are also other charitable agencies from the Anglican and Protestant communities doing relief work in the areas.

The current contribution of the Catholic Church entities will exceed 60 million Euros.

- Food aid and nutritional supplements for children

- Supplies of tents, medicines and first aid

- Providing water for peoples, animals and crops

- Improving hygiene and sanitation

- Support to the medical system and health care

- Assistance to the most vulnerable including children, the elderly and people with disabilities

- Distribution of seeds and veterinary supplies

- Spiritual and psychological care

If the rains in autumn 2011 are good, the situation will improve. In some locations, the demand for water trucking has been reduced, because it is no longer needed.

However, it will take time and also support from the international community to help drought-affected families recover from the loss of livestock and of one or two crop seasons.

The situation will remain serious in the coming months:  the aid is not sufficient, and the month of October is crucial, because it is normally a period of precipitation, but the irregularity of rainfall in recent months may indicate an additional period of drought.

The current situation is not due exclusively to lack of water, but it is also generated by violent conflicts, a weak central government, corruption, the insecurity of land tenure and a continued lack of basic services.

The refugee camps are overcrowded with great problems regarding security,  aid distribution and health issues. In addition,  there is the problem of refugees who continuously shift towards the borders of neighboring states, usually with a regular high mortality rate, especially among children. The local population who welcomes the refugees should also be supported.

Disaster risk-reduction measures are needed to reduce people’s vulnerability to future droughts, including:

- Developing water sources  such as wells or cisterns etc.;

- Making agricultural investments including water management, soil fertility and drought-resistant seed varieties to ensure future supplies;

- Improved rangeland management and veterinary services for animal herders

- Envisaging appropriate training for the population

- Strengthening political structures

Following the indications of the Holy Father it is important that the international community strengthen the efforts to give peace and stability in the area of the Horn of Africa.

Formation at all levels, stability of families and communities, concrete paths towards peace and reconciliation are part of this process.

The Catholic Church, following the teaching and example of Jesus Christ, is engaged in all these issues in a spirit of Ecumenical and Inter-religious dialogue.

[01388-02.01] [Original text: English]