(ANS – Addis Ababa) – A new initiative has been added to what is already going on in the Salesian world in response to the drought which is affecting the Horn of Africa. After the appeal launched by Misiones Salesianas in Madrid and the activities coordinated by VIS, the Salesian Community in Addis Ababa is starting a project in the area of Jijiga, capital of the Somali Region.

Faced by the crisis which has struck the Horn of Africa, Salesians of the Ethiopia-Eritrea vice-Province have sprung into action to work together with the other agencies in the territory and confront the dramatic situation caused by the drought. In collaboration with VIS and the other agencies, the Salesians have already set out a plan to help the people. However, it needs funding to put it into action.

"We have spent some time collecting information about the current state of the crisis, what we can hope to achieve in the area, and by what means", explains Br Cesare Bullo SDB, a Salesian Missionary who is director of the local Development Office.

"We have spoken to the parish priest in Jijiga, where Fr Gianni Premoli SDB worked for many years until he died. The parish priest confirmed the urgency of the situation and said that he would be available to work with us, offering logistical support."

During the past week the Salesian community held a meeting with the managers of the Salesian NGO, VIS (International Voluntariate for Development), and the team of Alan Fuad Alamirew, who worked with Fr Premoli in many charitable works for the local people. At this meeting a detailed estimate was made of the cost of obtaining the most essential items and necessary actions were planned.

The project they have drawn up, entitled Emergency Somali Region, aims to repair four existing wells and create a further four, use trucks to distribute ten to twelve thousand litres of water twice a day in the region of Jijiga, distribute two thousand food ration packs a day to refugees waiting to be registered in the reception areas, provide blankets, plastic sheeting and other materials useful for the temporary accommodation of displaced persons, install new latrines in the camps, and promote hygiene and sanitation.

Br Bullo has informed us that the budget necessary to fulfil this project amounts to 608,400 euros. Taking into account the funds already available, 462,800 euros are still required.

Published 11/8/2011