Read the compelling first hand accounts of AVSI staff at the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya

July 19 2011 –  FAMINE/ The hunger that is devouring the Horn of Africa

July 22 2011 – HORN OF AFRICA – Hunger and lions are taking the children of Dadaab

July 29 2011 – HORN OF AFRICA – Not even hunger can extinguish the dignity of men

Aug 5 2011 – HORN OF AFRICA – They desire bread, water and education

Aug 17 2011 – KENYA – Those 300,000 people you can’t forget about 

1,500 – Somalis arriving in Dadaab Refugee camps in Kenya each day, escaping famine and war.

29,000 – Somali children who have died in the past three months, according to USAID

2,300,000 – Children in the Horn of Africa who are acutely malnourished and 500,000 close to death, according to UNICEF

11,300,000 – people across Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Dijibouti affected by the famine and drought who need food assistance according to the United Nations WFP

AVSI has been working  in Kenya’s Dadaab Refugee camp since 2009 supporting educational activities and schools.

“It is a grave situation. Every day between 1,400 and 1,500 refugees arrive from Somalia. Among them are families who have walked for 20 days. Some have lost children along the way, have been attacked by hyenas or other vicious animals and have not eaten for days. We who have been working in the camps for years now find it difficult to stay in front of this human tragedy. How can we look them in the eyes and try to meet their great needs? For the moment we can only respond to their most basic needs and pray with them.” - Leo Capobianco, AVSI Representative in Kenya

AVSI’s immediate response gives priority to providing water, food, health services and supplies to refugees, in line with the policies set for AVSI and other parnters working with UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency). Where appropriate, AVSI will continue in its area of experience and expertise in the camp: increasing the availability and quality of education for the youth through organizing elementary and high schools, constructing of temporary classrooms, and providing training for teachers and educators.

Please support AVSI’s work in the Dadaab Refugee Camp, 100% of donations collected will be sent to Dadaab, and every dollar raised by AVSI will be matched by the Canadian International Development Agency for CIDA’s East African Drought Relief Fund.

Click on the “Make a Donation Button” now

AVSI Tents Campaign 2010-2011

“The forces that change history are the same that change the heart of man.”

At this time of year in Italy, there is a flurry of activity surrounding the AVSI Tents Campaign (Campagna Tende). This widespread fundraising and awareness raising effort inspires thousands of volunteers around the country, and in other parts of the world, to first get to know a little more about the judgements of AVSI on issues related to poverty and international development and the work being carried out around the world, and secondly to share this with others.

This year’s campaign focuses on the dramatic earthquake in Haiti. In front of that event, just as in front of the countless situations of disease, hunger and lack of opportunity that are encountered by AVSI on a daily basis, many people responded at the personal and public level to join us in our work. The big gesture of solidarity we witnessed was guided by the affirmation that “Our Life Belongs to Another” and that “Charity in Truth is an Essential Condition of Life” (Caritates in Veritate).

AVSI – Canada is supporting different fundraising efforts for reconstruction in Haiti.

Please join us for a fundraising  Christmas tent event at St. Mary’s Immaculate Church, 10295 Yonge Street Richmond Hill starting at 5.30 pm on Saturday Dec 18th and all day Sunday Dec 19th.  Chrtistmas artifacts from the Holy Land will be sold after each mass and all the proceedings of this initiative will go to support the AVSI Tents Campaign.  There will be plenty of Christmas Carols and hot beverage.

Donations can also be made online by clicking here.

photo courtesy of Panunzio

As you know, the cholera epidemic reached the city and the contagion is still spreading. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get data that really depicts the situation, but there are certainly more than one thousand victims, a huge number, and thousands of infected people in hospitals.

The hospitals in the capital city are at maximum capacity and the humanitarian organizations like ours are being pressed to take on at least the less serious cases….

DIARY HAITI/ 10. We are fighting against cholera and against our own limitations

Fiammetta Cappellini – (AVSI Country Representative in Haiti)

Meet Cristina Benetti, a Montreal based nurse who is currently working in Haiti with AVSI. Cristina left for Haiti and the beginning of October, and she shares with us her thoughts and experiences.

How did you learn about AVSI’s work?

When I was living in Italy, I had many friends who worked for AVSI, both in Italy and abroad working with different missions. I also participated in many fundraising activities in Italy, and also in Canada where I currently reside.

What motivated you to go to Haiti?

I have always felt a sense of gratitude for my life. One day I received an email from AVSI looking for doctors and nurses who were willing to work in Haiti for a minimum period of 3 months. I thought I could be of service, so I responded giving them my availability, and they accepted me.

What kind of work are you doing there?

I’m working on a project focused on reducing malnutrition in babies and children between the ages of 0 – 5yrs, and on supporting pregnant and breastfeeding women. This project is in collaboration with UNICEF.

What is the situation in Haiti like?

Currently we are in an emergency situation with the cholera outbreak, and I think the situation is worse than the earthquake. As of now, 1000 people have died, and more than 13,000 are infected. 2010 has been a terrible year for the people of Haiti with all these tragic events; the earthquake, cyclones and now cholera.

What are your impressions of AVSI’s work in Haiti?

I love working with AVSI because of their focus and attention on the capacity of each person as a unique and precious human being. Most of my colleagues are Haitians and it is obvious that AVSI lives out this mentality. I find working with my Haitian counterparts exceptional as we come from such different backgrounds, yet we have so much in common in our respect for each other as human beings.

What is the most challenging aspect of your work?

Everything is challenging because everything is difficult to do. For example, every day I go to the Citè Solei where I work which is more than 1 hour by car. I have to always stay with the driver, and send text messages for every movement (such as when I leave, arrive, etc). Security is very tense and important. Building relationships with the mothers at the clinic is different and challenging too. For example, it is normal for Canadians to breastfeed their newborn babies. But here, especially during the earthquake, mothers thought that the fear of the earthquake could pass through the mother’s milk and harm their baby. But all these contradictions are an opportunity for me to affirm the other as they are, to love their story and respect their values, because you cannot teach and influence them unless you first love and respect them. In fact, the first thing I learnt was that the lessons I am learning from the Haitians are more than what I can teach them.

What kind of personal impact has your work in Haiti had on your life?

Look! I have learnt a lot from these people. They don’t have anything but they are happy! They thank God in every situation. They may only have 1 dress and 1 pair of shoes, but they live with a lot of dignity, they are always clean and they take good care of themselves. The strength of these people comes from their faith. They pray a lot and this has had a big impact not only in my job, but also in my life.

How can Canadians best support the people of Haiti?

We have a lot of kids that don’t go to school, and many families that need economic support to buy books, pay for uniforms and transportation etc. There is a great need for Canadians to support through monetary donations.

To support the work that Cristina is doing in Haiti, please donate now to AVSI Canada. 100% of donations go directly to the AVSI office in Haiti to support their programs. Thank you for your generous support.

Photo Courtesy of Vergani

By this time it is certain: the epidemic of cholera has spread to the city and everywhere. There are cases verified in Petit Goave (15 hospitalized), west of the capital, and even in Les Cayes (5 hospitalized), where we help with rural development. The south was the only bastion left without contagion.

The official numbers now show about 8,000 infected and more than 500 dead. Some public documents speak of a 400% under-reporting, which would mean that the number of affected people was more than 50,000. We hope that this is not true.

DIARY HAITI/ Fiammetta: the epidemic of cholera is spreading, don’t forget Haiti!

Fiammetta Cappellini – (AVSI Country Representative in Haiti)

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