In October, we sent a small assessment team to evaluate opportunities on the ground through local partnerships. During our assessment, we looked at various areas that have been significantly impacted by the annual droughts.

The situation in Horn of Africa is considered a complex humanitarian crisis due to the significant political, economic, environmental, and religious context that has persisted in Somalia for two decades. This has resulted in large-scale migration into Kenya and Ethiopia during this time. The crisis is chronic and cyclical, with acute short term needs predicated upon the time of year and the extent of the drought. We found that the people observed are extremely vulnerable, and can slip into severe malnutrition very quickly should shortened rains persist. In the meantime, chronic long-term needs such as basic health care, water & sanitation (WASH), and education are clearly not being addressed. A well-planned, strategic livelihood intervention is required for future food security. Given the nature of this complex humanitarian crisis, a long term, highly technical response is required. 

With the support of the local church, experienced staff in East Africa, forming partnerships on the ground and a network of skilled and passionate volunteers, Safe Harbor is preparing to serve alongside partners with basic care required for survival and eternal hope through the message of Jesus Christ. We are currently forming a program that addresses critical needs in health, nutrition and WASH (water and sanitation hygiene) with hopes of beginning work in early 2012, pending project funding.