ShelterBox commits aid for thousands to Ethiopia

Emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies for 1,600 families has been committed to Ethiopia after the worst drought in 60 years. 

Hundreds of thousands of people are in dire need as famine and drought continues to plague the region. ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members Mike Greenslade (AU) and Dave Ray (UK) have been working in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, to establish the most effective way ShelterBox can help. With invaluable help from the Rotary network and the Ethiopian government, the team has joined forces with Ethiopia’s umbrella group of NGOs (non-government organisations), the CCRDA (Consortium of Christian Relief and Development Agencies) and Save the Children. 

Dave Ray said: ‘We’ve achieved a huge amount in a relatively short space of time. There are many obstacles to overcome and all our partners have shown an enormous desire to get lifesaving aid to people in desperate need. 

‘We’ve been advised that the situation in the camps is exceptionally bad and this aid will make a real difference. This collaborative effort is breaking new ground for ShelterBox and has once again shown we are an agency fully capable of adapting to new and challenging circumstances.’ 

In Dolo Ado region, in Ethiopia’s south, more than 1,000 Somali refugees are crossing the border every day, fleeing drought and famine. The ongoing conflict in Somalia has only worsened the situation. 

‘The people fleeing the famine have only what they can carry and the need for emergency shelter is enormous,’ said Mike Greenslade. 

‘Plans and logistics are in place to move aid quickly to the worst affected areas. Through Save the Children we’ll be helping some of the most vulnerable families. We’ll be working with them to provide shelter for refugee families fostering orphans and unaccompanied minors. It’s the children that are the most affected by this famine.’