Post by miguna on Dec 25, 2005 19:31:18 GMT 3
URGENT PRESS RELEASE
The Famine in Kenya – An Appeal from Concerned Kenyans in Canada.
December 24, 2005
We, the undersigned Kenyans living in Canada, are saddened by
the current famine situation in Kenya. We appeal urgently to the Kenyan government, Kenyans everywhere, the Canadian Government, the international community and well-wishers to help alleviate the famine situation and save lives. And in true spirit of the season, we hope that all and sundry will heed this call.
Reports from Kenya indicate that the famine may be more widespread than has been reported. Further, we understand that apart from the havoc the famine has caused in many human lives, there has also been a devastating impact on livestock, which is the main source of livelihood for the communities affected.
Accordingly, there is an urgent need for emergency response to avert the situation from getting worse.
Information we have also indicates that there is enough food in the country to feed those affected and that logistics of moving this food remain the main challenge. It is therefore necessary for an appropriate and effective response that is commensurate with the gravity of the situation to be implemented without any further delay.
Consequently we propose the following:
1. As a matter of urgency, the Kenyan government should provide a candid assessment of the current situation to both the Kenyan public and the world community in order to establish the extent of the need. We welcome the president’s appeal for help and recommend that the government should provide the exact nature of the need it requires from the public and the international community.
2. We request and urge the Canadian government, in particular, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), to lend a hand in dealing with this crisis. Canada is well-known for dealing with emergency situations and can offer a wide-range of assistance to the Kenyan people, be that in emergency response, logistical support or long-term planning in emergency-preparedness.
3. We further urge that the Kenyan political leaders demonstrate the necessary concern, empathy and effort commensurate with the magnitude of the problem. It is one thing to make appeals for help; it is quite another to actually deal with and be seen to address the problems at hand. For example, we expected that the ministers and permanent secretaries concerned would convene a crisis management team composed of local leaders, experts and security personnel to deal with the situation. Moreover, we expected that the responsible ministers and the ministry leaderships would immediately tour the area to establish the nature of the need and make appropriate decisions to deal with the situation.
4. We appeal to Kenyans everywhere and the international community for generous contributions in order to arrest and alleviate the current situation based on actual verified needs on the ground. We note that raising awareness is a major part of this contribution.
5. As we deal with this emergency, let us also try and establish, as accurately as we can, the root causes of the current problem. Famine in the region happens in regular cycles that are largely predictable. We need to establish the REAL reasons why the Kenyan government did not foresee this calamity’s approach! We feel that there has been too much focus on fighting for political power at the expense of wananchi’s well-being.
In the long run, it is important to have in place sound emergency preparedness. This includes raising awareness and prioritizing emergency preparedness and emergency response. It requires establishing systems for monitoring, evaluation and response before situations become emergencies. The old adage that prevention is better than cure and a stitch in time saves nine are truisms that we can ill afford to forget.
Our government should be open to learn from others that have expertise and experience in emergency preparedness. Kenya urgently needs an effective infrastructure for the creation of these emergency systems. Moreover, there exists substantial worldwide expertise in emergency preparedness that would facilitate knowledge transfer, including systems design, set up and associated training.
Please help the dying without reserve, in true spirit of Christmas.
Matunda Nyanchama – matunda@aganoconsulting.com
Sunil Ali – sulif44@yahoo.com
Miguna Miguna - miguna@sprint.ca
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The Famine in Kenya – An Appeal from Concerned Kenyans in Canada.
December 24, 2005
We, the undersigned Kenyans living in Canada, are saddened by
the current famine situation in Kenya. We appeal urgently to the Kenyan government, Kenyans everywhere, the Canadian Government, the international community and well-wishers to help alleviate the famine situation and save lives. And in true spirit of the season, we hope that all and sundry will heed this call.
Reports from Kenya indicate that the famine may be more widespread than has been reported. Further, we understand that apart from the havoc the famine has caused in many human lives, there has also been a devastating impact on livestock, which is the main source of livelihood for the communities affected.
Accordingly, there is an urgent need for emergency response to avert the situation from getting worse.
Information we have also indicates that there is enough food in the country to feed those affected and that logistics of moving this food remain the main challenge. It is therefore necessary for an appropriate and effective response that is commensurate with the gravity of the situation to be implemented without any further delay.
Consequently we propose the following:
1. As a matter of urgency, the Kenyan government should provide a candid assessment of the current situation to both the Kenyan public and the world community in order to establish the extent of the need. We welcome the president’s appeal for help and recommend that the government should provide the exact nature of the need it requires from the public and the international community.
2. We request and urge the Canadian government, in particular, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), to lend a hand in dealing with this crisis. Canada is well-known for dealing with emergency situations and can offer a wide-range of assistance to the Kenyan people, be that in emergency response, logistical support or long-term planning in emergency-preparedness.
3. We further urge that the Kenyan political leaders demonstrate the necessary concern, empathy and effort commensurate with the magnitude of the problem. It is one thing to make appeals for help; it is quite another to actually deal with and be seen to address the problems at hand. For example, we expected that the ministers and permanent secretaries concerned would convene a crisis management team composed of local leaders, experts and security personnel to deal with the situation. Moreover, we expected that the responsible ministers and the ministry leaderships would immediately tour the area to establish the nature of the need and make appropriate decisions to deal with the situation.
4. We appeal to Kenyans everywhere and the international community for generous contributions in order to arrest and alleviate the current situation based on actual verified needs on the ground. We note that raising awareness is a major part of this contribution.
5. As we deal with this emergency, let us also try and establish, as accurately as we can, the root causes of the current problem. Famine in the region happens in regular cycles that are largely predictable. We need to establish the REAL reasons why the Kenyan government did not foresee this calamity’s approach! We feel that there has been too much focus on fighting for political power at the expense of wananchi’s well-being.
In the long run, it is important to have in place sound emergency preparedness. This includes raising awareness and prioritizing emergency preparedness and emergency response. It requires establishing systems for monitoring, evaluation and response before situations become emergencies. The old adage that prevention is better than cure and a stitch in time saves nine are truisms that we can ill afford to forget.
Our government should be open to learn from others that have expertise and experience in emergency preparedness. Kenya urgently needs an effective infrastructure for the creation of these emergency systems. Moreover, there exists substantial worldwide expertise in emergency preparedness that would facilitate knowledge transfer, including systems design, set up and associated training.
Please help the dying without reserve, in true spirit of Christmas.
Matunda Nyanchama – matunda@aganoconsulting.com
Sunil Ali – sulif44@yahoo.com
Miguna Miguna - miguna@sprint.ca
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