HORN OF AFRICA

WHEREAS, millions of people are struggling to survive a humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, where the worst drought in 60 years has produced famine conditions whose victims are mostly children; and

WHEREAS, Somalia is correctly referred to as the epicenter of the "children's famine"—so-called because of its impact on the very young—international aid organizations and agencies reported in August that 300 children under age 5 were dying every day from starvation or disease and health complications aggravated by the lack of adequate food and water; and

WHEREAS, people in parts of Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti also face rising malnutrition as food shortages become more severe; and

WHEREAS, famine conditions might be much more widespread today were it not for the work of USAID, which predicted this crisis a year ago and moved expeditiously to pre-position food and other supplies in the region

WHEREAS, there is still much to be done as this crisis is becoming more catastrophic every day; the situation is going to get worse before conditions improve; and

WHEREAS, the American Federation of Teachers understands that while government action is vital, these efforts should not be the government's alone:

RESOLVED, that American Federation of Teachers will launch and sustain an education campaign to build awareness of the desperate situation in the Horn of Africa by developing classroom tools;

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will pressure Congress and the United Nations to continue the much needed humanitarian relief aid; and

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will encourage our members to support Save the Children's "Child Hunger Crisis Fund"; and

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers will call on the 400 worldwide affiliates of Education International to join us.