CHICAGO, IL (July 21, 2011) – Covenant World Relief (CWR) has set up a special crisis fund to provide assistance for the most vulnerable people in the Horn of Africa, which is experiencing its worst drought in 60 years.

More than 10 million people in Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia are suffering from dire food shortages. Several million children are malnourished. Hundreds of thousands of people are flowing into refugee camps. No rain is predicted until September, and livestock supplies are being decimated.

The head of the U.N. refugee agency said earlier this week that drought-ridden Somalia is the “worst humanitarian disaster” in the world.

The Covenant already has started sending aid. In partnership with the Evangelical Covenant Church of Kenya (ECCK), food rations and clothes are being provided. Once life-saving aid has been provided, local experts will lead seminars on disaster preparedness and economic development.

In collaboration with World Relief International, CWR is joining in providing emergency food aid to 250 families as well as drilling a borehole for a well near a local church. Much of the relief work is focused on lowering the vulnerability of the community to future disasters. In addition, CWR is partnering with Medical Teams International to provide life-saving medical treatment.

Click here to contribute to the crisis fund.