KILI CLIMB TO SUPPORT SOMALIA

Facing it worst drought in 60 years, Somalia is gripped by a devastating famine that is threatening millions of lives.  An overwhelming 12 million people have been affected by the famine in East Africa.  However, Somalia has been the hardest-hit country with the UN declaring famine in 5 Somali regions.  If immediate action is not taken by the international community to curtail the preventable famine, over 600,000 severely malnourished children on the brink of starvation may perish in the next few weeks.  Displaced by drought, famine and conflict, thousands of people are forced to trek under the scorching heat for hundreds of miles across the Somali desert to squalid and overcrowded refugee camps in neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia.  Women, children, the elderly and weak have reportedly succumbed to the harsh terrain while emaciated mothers and babies have reportedly died at the doorsteps of refugee camps.  Those who survive the harrowing journey often end up at the inhospitable Dadaab camp, located in Northern Kenya.  Nearly half-a-million Somali refugees are crammed in squalid conditions in what has become the world's largest refugee camp.  Zara Tours and Highview Hotel are concerned about the issues plaguing the East African community and would like to contribute to the relief efforts by raising funds to combat the worst hunger emergency in half a century.  All proceeds will be sent to the Dr. Hawa Abdi Foundation (www.dhaf.org) via Zara Charity.  Zara Tours will organize a climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro which is the highest peak in Africa through Machame route to help support this. For every climber Zara Tours will wave off $200 which will go straight to the foundation and help Somalia. The climb is set to be on the 5th of June 2012. A little can go a long way in this instance.     Help Now & Save a Life