CRISIS IN KENYA

31/01/2008

January 31, 2008 – Four of Canada's leading relief organizations are launching an appeal today to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Kenya, which has already affected more than 500,000 people.

CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, and Save the Children Canada are appealing to Canadians to support their emergency relief efforts in the East African nation through a single mechanism called THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION (http://www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca). "We are speaking in one voice. We are calling on Canadians to help the tens of thousands of innocent families affected by the crisis in Kenya," said Robert Fox, of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION and Executive Director of Oxfam Canada. "These are families who want the instability to stop. In many communities, we are supporting them in their efforts to make peace, but more urgently, we must support them with food, clothing and shelter." While 500,000 are affected, it is estimated that instability has displaced 250,000 people. Families are now living in make-shift camps in parks, community buildings, churches, schools and with family members. Their displacement means that children are away from schools, and parents are unable to work to support their families. Humanitarian Coalition members have independently worked on the ground since the initial days of the crisis. Efforts have focused on the provision of life saving necessities, such as water and shelter and the protection of women and children, as well as on solutions to help people whose livelihoods have been put at risk. Community reconciliation and peace building initiatives are also being undertaken to help prevent attacks and resolve conflicts at the community level. With the crisis continuing, the Humanitarian Coalition has agreed that a united effort in Canada is the best way to move forward. Through a single toll-free number, Canadian donations will be allocated where they are needed most. "We must act now to help prevent long-term problems," said Kevin McCort, of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION and interim CEO of CARE Canada. "Members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION will focus on immediate life-saving measures, but we will also be working with communities to ensure they can maintain independence and self-sufficiency. This includes giving seeds to farmers to make sure the next harvest is a success, and making sure children can go to school." HUMANITARIAN COALITION members have staff on the ground who are available for interviews, as well as a member who has recently returned from the emergency response. This is the first time members of the Humanitarian Coalition have launched two concurrent appeals in its three-year history. The Humanitarian Coalition launched an appeal on January 18th for the Southern African floods, which are affecting more than 250,000 people. Efforts on the floods will continue throughout the Kenyan appeal. Together, the members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION have already raised nearly $210,000. But much more is still needed. With a combined presence in 83 countries the coordinated marketing and fundraising efforts by the members of the HUMANITARIAN COALITION have proven in past emergencies to be both cost-effective and to have a greater impact in responding to emergencies. As in other emergencies, the Coalition has established one call centre for accepting donations, one national toll-free phone number, and a joint website for online donations - in order to make donating easy for Canadians. Canadians are asked to donate to THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION by calling 1-800-464-9154, logging onto http://www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca website, or by mailing donations to THE HUMANITARIAN COALITION, P.O. Box 1221, Station K, Toronto, ON, M4P 3E4. - 30 - Note to Editors: The Southern Africa floods and the Crisis in Kenya appeals are the 3rd and 4th Coalition initiatives for the four agencies. Previous campaigns include the Joint Earthquake Appeal, which responded to the earthquake in South Asia in 2005, and the HUMANITARIAN COALITION appeal in response to the crisis in the Middle East in 2006. For background on the missions and current relief programs run by the four agencies, please visit http://www.thehumanitariancoalition.ca. For more information: Andrea Lanthier-Seymour, Media Relations (CARE Canada), HUMANITARIAN COALITION, Tel: 613.228.5678, Cell: 613.799.7562 Alexandra Lopoukhine Media relations (Oxfam Canada), Tel: 613.237.5236 x222 Cell: 613.850.9723 Justine Lesage, Media relations (Oxfam-Québec & French Lead), Tel: 1.514.382.7922 Ext. 237 Cell: 514.513.0013 Sue Rooks, Media relations (Save the Children Canada), Tel: 416.221.5501 Ext. 305 Cell: 647.273.7134