ADH

Please find below a Press Release of Aktion Deutschland Hilft (an umbrella organisation founded by 10 of Germany’s most renowned aid organisations) about famine in East Africa. The Press Release below is a google translated article of the German version (02.09.2011).

To read the original in German please visit: Aktion Deutchland Hilft

Today, the deputy chairman of Terra Tech, Dr. Gangolf Seitz, and Terra Tech Staff Christian Schmetz returned from their trip to Eritrea. They stayed ten days in the East African country to assess the status of agricultural projects in the Debub Province .

Together with its local partner, Vision Eritrea and the Eritrean authorities, a water supply for two villages and an irrigation system for the surrounding fields in the higlands were introduced.

The project started in January 2009 began the construction of a dam with a reservoir to ensure year-round water supply. Below the dam resulted in two wells. One is used to irrigate the fields, the other the drinking water supply for the neighboring villages and Abi Adi Adi Itay. A total of four miles were laid pipes, through which the water using a solar-powered pump in two high tanks.

In the villages, two collection sites were constructed. In order for 1,200 people with clean drinking water supply is secured. The irrigation system for the fields allows three harvests a year and result in a revenue increase of 60% for the affected farmers.

Eritrea is one of the East African countries affected by drought for years. However, agricultural projects such as the one from Terra Tech clearly reduced the exposure to climate variations. Therefore, Eritrea is not as strongly affected by famine as the neighboring countries.

“The current rainy season is rich and our lake is well stocked. The water supply of Abi Adi and Adi Itay ensures even during the next drought, “says Schmetz. Also Gerezghiher Hagos, project manager of Vision Eritrea is happy with the success of the project: “The inhabitants of the villages take the drinking water supply to enthusiastic, and a few days ago we could start sowing on the newly created fields. Thanks to the all-season irrigation farming activities can now be scheduled reliably for many years. “

Terra Tech is also active in countries in need of acute emergency assistance in the face of the current drought in East Africa. “Our efforts focus on the more affected Kenya,” says Dr. Seitz. “Together with our partner, the St. Consolata Hospital in Kisumu, we distribute food to starving families in the northern Turkana district.” The families can thus remain in their homes and not have to relocate into already crowded emergency camps.

To mitigate the effects of future droughts, Terra Tech is planning in Kenya the implementation of irrigation projects, similar to the project in Eritrea

If you want to help countries affected by the drought please donate to: