IDRN Africa Response FAQs

Raise money online for IDRN Africa Response

What is the International Disaster Response Network?

The International Disaster Response Network is made up of organizations and individuals from around the world that are committed to working together to help communities recover after disasters. Since 2009, the International Disaster Response Network has responded to catastrophes in Brazil, the Philippines, Indonesia, Haiti, China, and Japan and is adding more members and capabilities each month. The strength of the IDRN lies in each member organization is able to leverage the individual strengths of the global network for a more capable and comprehensive local relief effort.

What is the focus of the December 11 IDRN Africa Response?

The focus of the IDRN Africa Response is to alleviate suffering brought on by extended drought and famine in the countries of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

What kind of partners are involved in this this campaign?

Physicians from Brazil are curbing the effects of the food shortage by showing families how to properly store and prepare food, how to know if drinking water is safe, and how to prevent disease spread by contaminated food. Volunteers in Kenya are setting up food distribution points in affected communities. HISG and Global Assist Network, two USA non-profits, have shipped 800,000 high-calorie, high nutrient meals to East Africa, and others around the world are assisting in raising money for more food.

Is there a plan for the long-term recovery once these meals run out?

Absolutely. The IDRN partners involved in this response have given careful consideration to how we can help families recover from this food crisis. Long-term solutions include drip irrigation systems, farming cooperatives, water catchment and storage, and crop rotation for healthier soil. IDRN partners in Kenya are involved with a agriculture project that has continued to yield healthy produce, even in drought conditions.

I would prefer to send money through a wire transfer rather than through a website. Is that possible?

Yes. Humanitarian International Services Group is handling all wire transfers for this initiative. Please contact them at donations@hisg.org or 1-303-704-4061 for instructions on how to set up a wire transfer.

I haven't seen anything about this on the news. Is it really that bad?

This famine did not happen overnight. There was no milestone event like an earthquake or tsunami to trigger it. So it has gone largely unnoticed, even though livestock, crops, and people are dying at a catastrophic rate.

If the situation is so bad, does my contribution really matter?

Yes! You can text a donation as small as $10 that can feed five families! We have a system already in place that has sent 800,000 meals. With your help, we can go beyond emergency disaster relief and create a new future in the Horn of Africa.