InternationalReliefandDevelopmentandItsPartners ProvideLifeSavingSupporttotheHornofAfrica

FORIMMEDIATERELEASE SEPTEMBER12,2011 CONTACT:MELISSAPRICE 5713661596 PRESS@IRDDC.ORG ARLINGTON, VA More than 12 million individuals are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and Djibouti the Horn of Africa. Due to a severe drought, the worst in 60 years according to the UN, villages are experiencing critical food shortages and a life-threatening lack of water. The UN estimates that tens of thousands have already died in Somalia alone, half of those victims are children, and the numbers are only expected to increase as famine conditions spread. International Relief and Development (IRD), together with its partners, is focusing on improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. Safe water, sanitation, and hygiene programs are important in preventing secondary causes of death and illness related to malnutrition. Malnourished individuals are especially susceptible to diseases such as measles, cholera, and malaria, as well as respiratory infections, due to compromised immune systems. In Dollo Ado, Ethiopia, near the borders of Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, IRD is working with a local organization to bring water to several villages that have not seen rain in more than two years. The nearest water source for some villagers is more than 12 miles away. Latter-day Saint Charities (LDS) has provided nearly $200,000 to IRD to implement this critical water project. This morning when we woke up, 5 different villages in the Dollo Ado woreda were completely out of water, noted Scott Webb, an IRD Relief Officer serving in Ethiopia. By this afternoon, they will have water. IRD can hold its head high that we did the right thing today and acted quickly in an emergency to save lives. The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) is also working with IRD to support relief efforts in the Horn of Africa. Through grants from TPRF and LDS, IRD will be able to continue working in Ethiopia and Somalia to provide water and sanitation facilities to at least 24,000 people in 16 villages and to grow those efforts to even more in other parts of Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya. more

INTERNATIONALRELIEF&DEVELOPMENT |1621NORTHKENTSTREET,4THFLOOR|ARLINGTON, VA22209 T 703.248.0161 |F 703.248.0194 |WWW.IRD.ORG

Visit www.ird.org for more information on IRDs efforts in the Horn of Africa and around the world. To read first-hand accounts from our staff on the ground, you can visit our blog, IRD Voices. You can also stay up-to-date on IRDs latest news by following us on Facebook, Twitter (@ird_voices), Flickr, or YouTube.
LDS Charities helps people become self-reliant and improve their quality of life through initiatives such as clean water, health, and food production. LDS Charities also relieves suffering by providing life sustaining support during emergencies. TPRF strives to address the fundamental human needs of food, water and peace so that people can live with dignity, peace and prosperity. Inspired by Prem Rawats vision that peace is a fundamental need for all people TPRF helps to make its message of peace available to people throughout the world and to support efforts to provide nutritious food, clean water, and eye care to people in need. IRD is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization responsible for implementing relief, stabilization, and development programs worldwide. IRDs mission is to reduce the suffering of the worlds most vulnerable groups and provide the tools and resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency. Specializing in meeting the needs of communities emerging from conflict or natural disaster, IRD partners with donors, local organizations, and many others to deliver sustainable services in agriculture, governance, health, and infrastructure. For more information, visit IRD.org. ###

INTERNATIONALRELIEF&DEVELOPMENT |1621NORTHKENTSTREET,4THFLOOR|ARLINGTON, VA22209 T 703.248.0161 |F 703.248.0194 |WWW.IRD.ORG