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Age UK and our sister organisation HelpAge International are providing much-needed emergency relief to 6,400 households, or approximately 44,800 people in Borana zone, Ethiopia. With additional funds, we could reach a further 20,000, households or 140,000 people. 

We aim to distribute food, water and healthcare to older people, plus water, animal feed and veterinary care for livestock which are vital for people’s livelihoods as well as food supply.

Alison Rusinow, Programme Manager for HelpAge Ethiopia, commented: ‘This is a severe food crisis. We know of communities where half of the population are older people. Younger generations have moved to cities in search of work, leaving parents behind to look after themselves and their grandchildren.’

3.2 million people hit by worst drought since the 1950s

East Africa is facing the worst drought since the 1950s. We estimate that in Ethiopia alone, 3.2 million people require humanitarian assistance.

Poor rains mean people are unable to plant crops and feed themselves; their livestock are unable to graze. During previous droughts, farmers have been able to sell their livestock in order to buy food in the local markets. However, in the Borana zone alone, nearly 250,000 livestock have already died due to lack of pasture or exhaustion. Severely malnourished and dehydrated, most cows and goats are no longer producing milk. Older farmers can no longer rely on their livestock to feed themselves and their families.

Rising food and fuel prices

On top of this, Ethiopians are facing increased food and fuel prices: the price of grain in the local markets is too high for most people. Ethiopians are moving to other areas in search of food, water and pasture, but they are moving to areas which are already suffering from shortage of water and pasture. People are unable to find what they need to survive.

Michelle Mitchell, Charity Director of Age UK, commented: ‘It is often the oldest people who are the most vulnerable, but also the most neglected in emergency situations. Thousands are caring for young grandchildren and most of them feed the children in their care before they feed themselves.’

Age UK and HelpAge are the only organisations specifically targeting older people in emergency relief programmes. Help us to help those hit by the current drought in East Africa by supporting our International work.