Horn of Africa Drought

In search of survival

Before the drought, Mohammad and his family would have been considered wealthy in their hometown near Kismayo, Somalia. They had a farm and livestock, including 150 cattle and 60 goats. But as the months turned into years with no rain, the animals started to die. They lived in constant fear of war and violence too. So when they were down to just a few goats, they left.

We met the family, with eight children, near the border of Somalia and Kenya. They had been walking for 21 days. Their youngest children were sick. The baby was coughing and had diarrhea. They suspected he had dysentery.

All they had left was just one goat. Everything they owned had to be carried because even their donkeys had died.

Mohammad said he didn’t know where they were going – in search of food and water, for sure. And he didn’t know what the future held. He had little hope left, he said.

The family will likely settle in an over-crowded Kenyan refugee camp. But until then, they need food, water and medical attention for their children to survive the journey.

Help us get food, water and medical care to families like this in the Horn of Africa.