Dutch citizens donate more than $1.4 million for drought-stricken Horn of Africa

2011-07-14 20:19:30 GMT+7 (ICT)

AMSTERDAM (BNO NEWS) -- Dutch citizens have so far donated more than 1 million Euros ($1.4 million) to the victims of the severe drought that is affecting the Horn of Africa, the Samenwerkende Hulporganisaties (Cooperating Aid Organizations) said on Thursday.

The Cooperating Aid Organizations launched a nationwide campaign on Monday evening to raise money for the victims of the disaster, which the United Nations has described as the world's 'worst humanitarian disaster.' The drought began in March when seasonal rains failed to arrive.

The Cooperating Aid Organizations, which exists of ten organizations including the Dutch Red Cross, is happy with the money raised so far. "A great result for two days. I'm very happy that Dutch let their heart speak and are concerned about the fate of the people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia," said Marinus Verweij, action chairman of the Cooperating Aid Organizations. "I hope people keep giving."

According to the United Nations, 2011 is the driest period in the Eastern Horn of Africa since 1995. The drought remains a major threat with no likelihood of improvement until early 2012, and the number of people in acute livelihood crisis is expected to increase from 8.8 million in the coming months.

Although Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia saw the late arrival of the long pastoral rains (March-May), amounts received were low and insufficient to sustain human and livestock water consumption and regenerate pasture until the next rainy season (expected in October). River levels in Somalia said to be at historic minimums, while water and cereal prices registered highest increases in 12 months.

Overall food security conditions across pastoral and marginal agricultural areas will continue to deteriorate in the coming 3 to 4 months, according to the UN, with expectation of late and below-average summer harvests, early depletion of pasture and water, and continued high prices of food, water and fuel.

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that's about $1.4 million than the 25% of humans residing in China have donated.