Tens of thousands of starving Somalis have flooded Mogadishu refugee camps in search of food as the nation fights East Africa's worst drought in 60 years and ruling militants who are blocking aid from western countries.
Click image for more photos. (Reuters/Thomas Mukoya)
Yahoo! News spoke to a reporter who is in Somalia and has seen first-hand what it’s like in the refugee camps of the war-torn and famished country.
“There was no food, no help. There are kids dying left and right—I'm not exaggerating. They buried 12 on the day I visited,” said Jason Straziuso, a reporter for the Associated Press.
“The most touching thing so far has been when this small child waved at me yesterday. I stuck my head in her tent and she was lying, motionless, flies flying everywhere and she sort of stuck her head up and waved at me,” he said. “That put a lump in my throat because I don't know that she's going to get better, in fact I think she has a good chance of not getting better.”
African Union forces have launched an offensive to keep aid agencies safe as they bring food and supplies to the thousands of refugees in Mogadishu.
Below are organizations that are working on relief and recovery in the region:
International Medical Corps: The group has mobilized teams in Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia -- three countries expected to bear the brunt of the drought -- to respond to this growing humanitarian crisis. Donate here.
Save the Children: Save the Children has launched a major humanitarian response in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, feeding tens of thousands of children, providing life-saving medical treatment, and getting clean water to remote communities. Donate here.
World Vision: World Vision has established 6-month response plans for Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia. Donate here.
American Red Cross: The American Red Cross' disaster relief efforts help those affected by the drought and current humanitarian emergency in Horn of Africa. The group is working to develop community resilience to help mitigate the effects of future crises. Donate here.
US Association for UNHCR: UNHCR is working in Somalia and neighboring countries to provide security, shelter, medical care, food, clean water and basic necessities. Donate here.
Oxfam America: Oxfam has set up water and sanitation facilities in the camps and is providing therapeutic feeding to women and children, and distributing food aid. Donate here.