The following message was distributed by the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) yesterday.  Please read below.  Your help in circulating this message to friends and family would be greatly appreciated.

Severe drought in the Horn of Africa is affecting over ten million people, causing the United Nations to launch its largest ever famine relief effort in Southern Somalia.  The UN estimates over 3 million people are at risk of dying without immediate food aid.  Tens of thousands, mostly children, have already died.

In these times of crisis, the labour movement always responds.  The Canadian Labour Congress and many unions are working directly with Oxfam Canada.  The CLC and many of its affiliates have already donated over $110,000 to Oxfam for East Africa Relief efforts.

Donate now to help Oxfam reach thousands in the affected area.  Your donation will help Oxfam reach close to 500,000 people in Somalia, 700,000 in Ethiopia and 1.3 million in Kenya with clean water, basic sanitation and distributing cash and food.  Oxfam also aims to provide food, clean water and hygiene facilities by constructing and repairing water tanks that can store any rain water, as well as boreholes and traditional wells along the main livestock and market routes.  Oxfam is calling for urgent emergency funding now to provide life-saving aid to millions, as well as a new long-term strategy to deal with more severe and frequent droughts.

Your help is needed.  To donate to Oxfam relief efforts in East Africa, please refer to the following website: https://www.helpforcharities.com/oxfam/index.php.

In solidarity,

Ken Georgetti
President