ICROSS fighting drought July 2011 Dr Michael Meegan

ICROSS prepares for worsening famine conditions. July 2011

Dr Michael Meegan announced today that the dramatic rise in malnutrition has now reached critical status.
The drought is worsening . Dr Meegan, head of research and Founder said

" Throughout ICROSS health programmes we have been monitoring the rise of dehydration and children falling below safe weight. We have assessed the weight charts of 1345 children under five yrs over the last 8 weeks.
There are 278 Mothers who have been weighed. We have also monitored 122 Maasai over 60 yrs old.
Initial figures show that 39% of Boys and 43% of girls are malnourished
Of these 22% of all boys and 34 % of girls were moderately malnourished with 8% of boys and 11% severely malnourished
Among old people 27% are below weight."

This means that there are serious trends in malnutrition the current drought that are increasingly . ICROSS is working throughout its programmes preparing immediate response to the lack of safe water and the threat to infants in drought areas. Our first drought in 1983 saw thousands of children die from starvation. Community leader Philip OleSironka said today "ICROSS is preparing with communities in over 120 villages for a rapid response programme to reach those most in need"

The Founder Dr Mike Meegan was today with Ministry of health teams assessing the water resources in Longosua . P OleLasoi, ICROSS emergency response team said
" we have thirty years experience with these communities , its about living among our people now , in the good times and in these situations" ICROSS will launch an emergancy famine appeal in August 2011.