The Danish Refugee Council has immidiately released extra funding to reach even more people fleeing drought and famine in Somalia.

Head of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) International department, Ann Mary Olsen has just returned from a visit to the Horn of Africa, bringing her both to Somalia, Kenya and Etiopia. After her return she has immidiately released the two million Danish Kroner donated by the Danish population, and added an extra 4 million from the DRC Emergency Fund to reach both those in need in Somalia and those who have been able to flee to the neighbouring countries Kenya and Etiopia.

”There is a huge difference between what I have just witnessed in Mogadishu and what I have experienced during other humanitarian crisis. Normally the refugees we meet have something with them. The Somalis I met in Mogadishu have nothing. The war has taken its toll, and then the drought has taken what was left. Now they have absolutely nothing - not even hope,” says Ann Mary Olsen.

DRC has been working with Somalis and other displaced and conflict-affected populations in Somalia since 1998. As one of the largest international humanitarian organizations in Somalia and the Horn of Africa, DRC has been able to increase the relief efforts gradually as the drought related famine has worsend throughout the year.

”Our staff at the Horn is working round the clock. They know that every single choice they make, every single action they take, safe life,” says Ann Mary Olsen.
While in Mogadishu Ann Mary Olsen visited one of DRC’s wet-feeding kitchens feeding more than 100.000 people every day and a camp for newly displaced people. During her visit to Somalia, Kenya and Etiopia she further had meetings with OCHA, WFP and UNHCR to coordinate the efforts by DRC and make sure the humanitarian effort by DRC is helping where help is needed the most.

“We can make a difference. It isnt easy, but it is possible. To do it right we need the funding, off course, but we also need to make sure the work is coordinated by everybody implementing at the Horn of Africa. Further it is extremely important that we keep focus on those in need even after the rain starts falling again. Somalia and the refugees at the Horn will be needing help many years from now, if they are to be able to take care of themselves again,” says Ann Mary Olsen.

Danish Refugee Council works as one of the largest international humanitarian organizations in Somalia and the Horn of Africa aiming at increasing relief efforts further and thereby reaching more people.

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