Caryl Stern: On the eve of an important journey
Famine was declared in the East Africa in July, creating an acute child survival crisis for those caught in the drought-affected regions. My inbox was host to unimaginable updates from colleagues based in Nairobi, Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Veteran UNICEF staff members who had experiened decades of manmade and natural disasters were reduced to tears when recounting the children and conditions they were witnessing.
Caryl Stern is on a relief mission to East Africa and is blogging from the field.
Famine was declared in parts of East Africa in July, creating an acute child survival crisis for those caught in the drought-affected regions. My inbox was host to unimaginable updates from colleagues based in Nairobi, Mogadishu and Addis Ababa. Veteran UNICEF staff members who had experiened decades of manmade and natural disasters were reduced to tears when recounting the children and conditions they were witnessing.
Grateful for the media attention at the onset of the crisis, we wondered how long it would last, and what would we do when the spotlight faded. How would we ensure that children in the world's worst humanitarian crisis remained a priority, in spite of so many worthy news stories and causes competing for attention?
When I learned that Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared our concern for children in East Africa, and wanted to help raise awareness for them, my heart lifted with gratitude. One of the most famous couples on the planet had decided to focus media attention and personal concern on some of the world's least visible and poorest children.
I write this from Copenhagen, on the eve of an important journey. I will be on hand as Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambride visit UNICEF's global supply warehouse to help pack and ship lifesaving equipment to our regional headquarters for East Africa. It will be my privilege to then join one of two cargo planes that will carry our supplies to Nairobi, for an eventual delivery to Somalia. In the process, tens of millions around the world will hear this news and be reminded that help is still needed, that the crisis is far from over.
It is my fervent hope that the children for whom the supplies are intended receive the material goods and care they need to survive, and that they come to know the message our guests will send to the world on their behalf. Simply put: The children of East Africa are an urgent priority for all of us. They are deserving of our investment, concern and action. We adults are honored to serve these little people, who will one day inherit and help lead our world.
