Guernsey commits over £80,000 to disaster and famine relief

Sunday 13 August 2023

Haiti and Somalia are set to benefit from local cash after the Overseas Aid & Development Commission agreed to donate tens of thousands to charities providing support to people in the countries.

Haiti experienced torrential rains in June causing deadly floods and landslides which have killed and injured dozens and destroyed at least 3,000 homes. Flood damage is estimated to have affected nearly 36,000 properties.

The country is also battling with civil unrest brought about by food security issues, rising poverty, and a major outbreak of cholera. The UN has been overwhelmed by the issues and third-sector support is urgently required.

Plan International UK has received £30,400 from the Commission to help feed families, secure water supplies, provide hygiene essentials and support children.

Meanwhile Somalia is suffering from its worst drought since the 1980s. Disruption to global grain supplies and the rising cost of food is also worsening a famine there as crop production has fallen by nearly three quarters. 11 million crucial animals have also died since 2021.

Guernsey has provided £50,000 to the British Red Cross to help tackle the famine, with as many as one third of Somalis in need of humanitarian support. The money will be used to ensure basic nutrition, sanitation and shelter can be provided.

Pictured: Deputy Chris Blin was pleased to be able to provide support.

Deputy Chris Blin, President of the Commission, said the contributions would make a “real difference to the overall response”.

“The general situation in Haiti has grown dire, with 4.7 million people in need of urgent support, of which nearly 80% are children. The region of Sud-Est which Plan International are supporting has seen significant damage to roads and infrastructure due to floods, which has only worsened the cholera outbreak by making areas inaccessible to medical support. Water and sanitation support such as hygiene and water purification kits will be vital."

He added that the situation in the Horn of Africa has been brewing for some time and is only predicted to deteriorate further.

“With 2023 being the fifth failed crop harvest in a row, with a projected sixth next year, long term damage is being inflicted on the suffering population. The Red Cross has an excellent reputation and package of relief items in place, and we are pleased to support them again in their emergency relief efforts."