Act: 15 August launch of Africans Act 4 Africa Campaign
Communities in the Horn of Africa are facing the effects of one of the worst droughts in decades. The Dadaab refugee camp is the largest in existence; 1,400 refugees join the camp daily. The actions of international governments have been limited. African states, for example, have made token gestures in comparison to their strength. The first donation given by South Africa was only as much as is typically spent on a senior politician’s car. In this context, the generosity of the people has been incredible; the Kenyans for Kenya campaign is one such amazing case.
However, the inspiring actions of individuals are not enough to stop the crisis set in motion by the drought. It is time for African governments to match the commitment of the people that make up their nations.
The Africans Act for Africa Campaign, launched on Monday 15 August, is a call for firmer steps on the part of African states. These governments must give a reasonable fraction of the $1.4 million still needed if the humanitarian disaster in the Horn of Africa is ever to be stopped.
The timing of the campaign could not be better. The African Union recently decided that 15 August will be a day of Pan African Solidarity with the People of the Horn of Africa. Ten days on, the African Union will meet and members will make their pledges of aid to the famine.
WHAT YOU CAN DO IN 5 MINUTES:
- Join the Africans Act for Africa Facebook group and show your support for the campaign.
- Follow the campaign on Twitter
WHAT YOU CAN DO IN 15 MINUTES:
- Record and upload short video messages and send them to the campaign. They will be edited and uploaded onto the AfricansAct4Africa YouTube page. Contact africansact4africa@gmail.com for more details. Suggested short video messaging: “I am … (your name) … and I call on Africans to Act for Africa.”
- Launch a Twitter campaign addressed to @SApresident, linking to Africans Act 4 Africa Facebook page. Urge the Government to make significant contributions to the relief effort and call on African leaders and governments to ensure this never happens again by fostering the right environment for Africans to increase their food production.
- Encourage citizens to donate through existing funding channels and to do fundraising themselves.
- Challenge the private sector to donate particularly multinationals with Pan Africa operations eg: Anglo-American, De Beers; Shoprite; MTN; Shell.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ON THE DAY OF PAN AFRICAN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE HORN OF AFRICA (15 AUGUST):
- Africa Stops in Solidarity! Push for action to have everybody stop what they are doing and observe a moment of silence for 1 minute 2 sec at 12noon.
- 12 hours of giving for 12 million people – push for action to have people send money to existing funding channels, from 7am – 7pm.
- Tell all your colleagues and friends about the Pan African Day in Solidarity with the People of the Horn of Africa, and tell them to Act for Africa.