Blog Action Day and World Food Day provide an opportunity for individuals all over the world to spark collective action around the pressing global issue of food. This is particularly important now, as drought in the Horn of Africa and famine in parts of Somalia threaten millions.
 
Tragically, the worst drought in 60 years is being complicated by a chaotic political situation in Somalia. People are facing not only hunger, but also terrorism and violence.

In August, I traveled to Kenya along with my boss, Dr. Jill Biden and several other U.S. officials to visit the to the largest refugee camp in the world, in Dadaab, Kenya, where nearly 1,300 people arrive every day. We met with families who had walked for days or weeks, often barefoot, with no possessions, desperate to find food and medical care.

We spent time with a mother who had walked for over two weeks with her malnourished children to get to the camp. Her baby was sick with diarrhea; an ailment that seems minor to many of us but in these circumstances could be fatal. Like many of the women in the camps, this mother had walked day and night, through very dangerous conditions to try to save her children.

While the U.S. Government and the international community has mobilized and we are helping millions of people in the region – the scope and pace of this crisis is relentless. Without additional assistance, hundreds of thousands more could die. And most of those deaths will be children.

But there is hope.

On our visit we saw first-hand that even the smallest and simplest investments can save lives.

We saw two-dollar measles vaccinations that literally mean the difference between life and death for children. We also saw how inexpensive ready-to-use therapeutic food treatments and oral rehydration packs can bring listless babies back to life. 

Through the Obama-Biden Administration’s Feed the Future program, we have been investing in country-led strategies designed to address the root causes of hunger and food insecurity around the world, so that we can help prevent the kind of suffering we see in Somalia today.

During our trip to Kenya we also saw first-hand the progress being made from investments in long-term food security. At the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) in Nairobi – we saw innovative and improved crops and irrigation methods being developed and learned about new developments and ways for farmers to market and transport their products. The goal of our aid is simple: to help create the conditions where such aid is no longer needed.

We all know these are tough times here at home and in many places around the world but we also know that Americans always respond to humanitarian crises especially when a small donation can literally – literally -- save the life of child.

Already there are so many individuals, members of the faith community, businesses and other organizations coming together to make a difference in this crisis. The U.S. Agency for International Development recently launched the FWD campaign – to highlight the devastating nature of the crisis in the Horn of Africa and to ask people to help spread awareness.

FWD is a call to action – a call to get people informed, to get engaged and to forward this information to friends and families.

Hopefully this post will inspire you to check out www.usaid/fwd today and take action.

 

Dr. Jill Biden and Senator Bill Frist visit the Dagahaley refugee camp, in Dadaab, Kenya. August 8, 2011. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Today, Dr. Biden traveled to Kenya where relief operations are underway to help the thousands of refugees affected by the devastating famine in Somalia. Visiting with women and children at the Dadaab Refugee Complex, Dr. Biden – joined by former U.S. Senator Bill Frist, USAID Administrator Raj Shah, Assistant Secretary of State Eric Schwartz, and Special Assistant to the President Gayle Smith– witnessed firsthand the effects of one of worst droughts in 60 years and the resulting famine in Somalia. 29,000 children under the age of five have died in the past three months and more than 12 million people across the Horn of Africa are in urgent need of care. Emergency assistance and investments in long-term development are saving lives and making a difference. Visit www.USAID.gov to learn more and find organizations that are doing life-saving work in the region.

Dr. Jill Biden talks with USAID Administrator Dr. Raj Shah at the Dagahaley refugee camp, in Dadaab, Kenya. August 8, 2011. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Courtney O'Donnell is Communications Director for Dr. Jill Biden.

Dr. Biden addresses family and friends of Team USA at the Residence of the Consul General of the U.S in Frankfurt, Germany along with Delegation Members Ambassador Philip Murphy, Chelsea Clinton, Carin Jennings-Gabarra, and Lee Satterfield. (by State Department U.S. Mission Germany)

The delegation landed in Germany early this morning and had a chance to visit with some of the friends and family members of the team. Ambassador Phil Murphy, Dr. Biden and Chelsea Clinton addressed the group in an atmosphere of growing excitement, pride and anticipation.

Dr. Biden thanked Team USA for honoring our country with their amazing performance – and also noted that the strong foundation for that has been laid by Title IX in the United States. She wished the team good luck from everyone back at the White House and a proud nation back home.

Chelsea Clinton also shared her thanks and excitement with the team, stressing the power of sport and how much this event means to women and girls around the world.

Team USA is a true source of pride, unity and inspiration - in just a few hours, supporters and fans from around the world will join to watch them!  USA!

Dr. Biden visits the Helsinki City College of Culinary Art, Fashion and Beauty. March 8, 2011. (by US Embassy, Finland)

After the school visit, Dr. Biden had the opportunity to visit an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day in Finland.  There she was greeted by the event organizers and by a local school choir.  Dr. Biden spoke with participants and explored the exhibits displaying the range of efforts being undertaken by NGOs and women’s organizations in education, health and social services.  As she remarked, “it was a pleasure to celebrate international women’s day in Finland – a place where women’s rights and empowerment can serve as a model for the rest of the world.”

Dr. Biden celebrates the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day in Finland. March 8, 2011. (by US Embassy, Finland)

We are also encouraging as many people as possible to join us through live webcasts of the day.  In the meantime you can join the conversation about improving community colleges or share your story about how community college has changed your life.  Visit WhiteHouse.gov/CommunityCollege to get started.