Somalia is starving.

The United Nations reports that tens of thousands of people, mostly women and children, have died in the famine- and drought-hit country over the past few months.

Aid organizations, including the Qatar Red Crescent Society, are on the ground and scrambling to feed the east African nation. 

The Peninsula reports:

“Our immediate focus is on food distribution, and then in the future the long-term stage involves livelihood for the people and strategic planning for the country,” (said QRC’s Acting Director Yousra Bagadi).

However, she added: “We are also concerned about infectious diseases in children, and providing vaccinations is part of our work scope. The overall proposed operation falls into five categories: food distribution, nutritional feeding and supplements, shelter, non-food item distribution and healthcare provision.

We have local QRC staff members working in Somalia who are trained in the areas of humanitarian operations, logistics planning and project monitoring/evaluation. They will be responsible for the delivery and implementation of these operations in Somalia.”

QRC plans to procure technical expertise and assistance from qualified third parties, including Unicef. QRC also plans to work closely with local authorities in the regions as well as the government.

To help the charity with its efforts, donations can be made in the following ways:

• Call the mobile hotline number: 55884707

• Transfer your donation to account No. 100002649 (Qatar Islamic Bank)

• Deliver your donation to the Red Crescent Fundraising Department at QRC in Doha

• Donate to one of the QRC’s representatives at select shopping malls in Doha

• Donate online via the QRC website (Arabic)

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