By taking part in Oxfam’s Shout the Horn campaign this Sunday, people can now double their support to people facing famine in the Horn of Africa following an announcement by Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd that public donations to the crisis will be matched by the Government.
This Sunday October 16 is World Food Day and Oxfam Australia is asking Australians to dine out and ‘shout’ the cost of an extra meal and make a donation to Oxfam Australia’s East Africa appeal.
Donations made as part of the Shout the Horn fundraising initiative will now be doubled following the launch of the Australian government’s Dollar for Dollar initiative for the Horn of Africa last week.
Oxfam Australia Executive Director Andrew Hewett – who has just returned from the Horn of Africa – said Australians now had twice as many reasons to get behind Shout the Horn.
“World Food Day provides Australians with a moment to share a meal with friends and family and help families and communities in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia who need urgent assistance,” Mr Hewett said.
“Thirteen million people, equivalent to more than half the population of Australia, are in a fight for survival in the Horn of Africa and Australians should make the most of this rare opportunity to see the value of their donation doubled.”
Australian food personalities from around the country including Julie Goodwin, Andrew McConnell and Mark Jensen are among those supporting Shout the Horn.
Sydney-based Mark Jensen, co-head chef at Sydney’s Red Lantern and author of The Urban Cook – Cooking and Eating for a Sustainable Future said:
“Oxfam is already reaching more than 2 million people in the region, and is hoping to reach more than 3.5 million people affected by the food crisis. But they need support to do so,” Mr Jensen said.
“I’m joining Oxfam and asking you to Shout the Horn on Sunday October 16, by sharing a meal or dining out at a participating restaurant and making a donation to help Oxfam respond to this devastating food crisis in the Horn of Africa.”
As well as dining out at participating restaurant, Oxfam is also encouraging people to host their own Shout the Horn dinner parties on Sunday October 16 and make a donation to Oxfam’s East Africa appeal.
“Children can cook for their parents, friends can cook for their flatmates – you can come up with your own way to get involved and support Oxfam’s lifesaving work,” Mr Hewett said.
Parts of the region are suffering the driest year in 60 years and Oxfam is also helping to build the longer term resilience of communities by helping them to adapt to the increased challenges of more extreme weather events.
For more information about Shout the Horn, to register as a restaurant or to view the list of those participating visit www.oxfam.org.au/shoutthehorn.
For media information contact Oxfam Australia Media Coordinator Sunita Bose on 0407 555 960.
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