NARRATIVE REPORT AND

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

A project in the Horn of Africa (Wajir,

North East Kenya) for the delivery of

immediate healthcare services (mobile

clinic & nutrition program) to the

Somalian victims of drought and famine.

This project is funded by ISOLANA

FUNDACIÓN, Sardenya 437, 08025

Barcelona, España

Humanitarian

Intervention for

the Victims of

Drought and

Famine in the

Border of Somalia

CTF Central, Piazza della Maddalena 53 00186 ROMA

CTF Combats Malnutrition in the Horn of Africa

The Camillian Task Force (CTF), a humanitarian mission office of the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm (Camillians), is responding to the appeal of the Pope on behalf of the Horn of Africa particularly in the Diocese of Garissa. After a month and a half of assessment in the area of Wajir County, emergency programs have been proposed and at present is in the initial phase of its implementation. The target villages are Alimaow, Barwaqoo, Maalim Salat, Makoror, Hodhan and Jogoo. The following programs are: 1) blanket supplementary feeding with particular attention to the children aging 4-5 years old and the elderly aging 60+ years old, 2) Mobile clinic designed to provide basic health care services and a closer follow up of children who are severely malnourished. This package includes the augmenting the capacity of the dispensary operated by the Camillian Sisters in the area, 3)To provide access to potable water for human and animal consumption in the village of Lakole north and south, and 4) food production scheme in the village of Lafaley.

For the past three months (October – December 2011), CTF was able to distribute food (12 kgs of rice and 6 kgs of beans per person) to 2,956 children aging 4-5 years old out of 3,500 children targeted. This amounts to a total of 710 bags of rice and 355 bags of beans. Out of 2,956 children screened 574 are categorized as malnourished (severe & moderate). Deworming has been administered. Full and more focus assistance (food, medicines & medical check up) to the 574 children identified has started early January until April 2012.

The first distribution was done to facilitate the screening of malnourished children in those villages. Using the standards of mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and the body mass index (BMI), the children are categorized into the various levels of malnutrition. Children who fell under severe malnutrition level will now be given more attention for the second up to the sixth distribution cycle. At this period, an integrated mobile health clinic and health education has been conducted in those villages in collaboration with the mothers, community health care workers and the elders. By the end of April 2012, the CTF expects to reduce the number of malnourished children by 5%.

In January the screening of the adult beneficiaries (60 years old and above) has been conducted in the villages mentioned above. The CTF has mobilized its team to conduct a second survey to identify the elderly who are bedridden. Beginning this month, the team has been distributing food and conducting medical check up to aged persons. There are about 2,643 aged persons registered.

On the other hand, the CTF will start installing the solar powered pump at Lakoley, northern part of Wajir. Arrangement with the community and negotiations with the contractor and service provider has been achieved recently. The project will commence on the first week of January and scheduled to finish before the end of January. This project will benefit approximately a total of 10,000 settlers and about 50,000 animals (breeding stock). The use of renewable and environment friendly energy will cut down as much as 75% of the operational cost of sustaining the pump.

Using the strategy of collaborative and participatory approach in all projects (4), the CTF aims to build bridges between the Catholic church and the muslim Somali communities. Dialogue with the chief, the elders of the community and the representatives of the Kenyan government has been conducted. The initial dialogue, gathering of information and brainstorming was done in their respective communities itself while the planning and coming up of strategies of implementation was done at the Catholic Mission Center of Wajir. The distribution of food was done also at the center three times a week except the village of Makoror due to its distance from the center. In Makoror, the CTF team went to the village for two days.

This approach has facilitated the team to get integrated into the target areas itself. It is indeed very encouraging to hear from some village chiefs and elders who said that, while we are at the Catholic mission center we need to respect your rules and regulations because this is a sacred place and while you are in our villages we owe to protect you at all cost. There were also some minor confrontations with the chief and elders but we immediately settled the problem at that day by gathering them for a dialogue and identifying the problem. In fact, after few days the

village chief wrote a letter of apology to the team acknowledging their failure to provide order during the distribution and mean their ways and conduct. It is also heartwarming to hear from the people how grateful they are for the help and even give some token (fruits) in return no matter how little they have. This way develops mutual respect and generates better collaboration.

The CTF mission has brought people to the center and made them aware of the health services that it offers. In fact, it has been noted by the Sisters that since the distribution started, the number of patients seen everyday is increasing. They appreciate also the quality of care and affordability of service that were given to them.

From this experience itself, we are more convinced that the greatest arm of the Church to combat poverty, hardships and suffering is charity, the unconditional love of the compassionate Christ to his people; a love that is based on truth, justice and respect for ones differences. The key to our approach is personal (person centered) and not just only goal centered. The CTF mission has challenged also other young Christians and muslims to participate and contribute in their own little ways. In fact, one of the members of the team is a Muslim. Thus, humanitarian mission does not only bring material benefits to the victims but also builds community of persons.

This mission certainly will remain impossible if not because of the help of some generous people and organizations. Great acknowledgment to ISOLANA FUNDACIO PRIVADA PROTECCIO of Barcelona, Spain who responded immediately to our invitation to participate in this mission. CTF is very grateful for this help and looking forward to collaborate with you in our future missions of bringing relief to the poor victims of natural and man-made calamities. (Camillian Task Force). ******

Prepared by:

Bro. Joseph Khiyaniri, MI CTF Kenya, Local Coordinator

Fr. Aris D. Miranda, MI

CTF International Coordinator, Rome

N.B see separate file for photo documentation (more pix can be downloaded from our FBsite)

See financial statement below

FINANCIAL STATEMENT: October – December 2011

Date Item Description Amount (Shillings)

Khs

Euro

(129Khs)

INCOME Isolana Foundation 2.941.200,00 22.800,00

Others (CTF) 1.173.800,00 9.099,22

Total 4.115.000,00 31.899,22

EXPENSES Vehicle (Toyota Land Cruiser 2003) 2.900.000,00 22.480,62

Food (210 bags of rice, 74 bags of beans) 1.215.000,00 9.418,60

Total 4.115.000,00 31.899,22

Balance 0,00 0,00