Coleraine Oxfam’s East Africa Appeal

Jim Clarken, Chief Executive of Oxfam Ireland, said: “People are facing starvation and children are as always most at risk, we have launched the East Africa Crisis Appeal in response to this massive crisis facing 12 million people across East Africa caused by the worst drought in 60 years and soaring food costs.

“Oxfam is already helping hundreds of thousands of people but urgently needs more money to expand this work.”

People in Coleraine can make a donation to Oxfam Ireland’s appeal by:

· Donating at the Coleraine shop;

· Visiting www.oxfamireland.org;

· Calling 0800 0 30 40 55 (N. Ireland)

Joanne Milliagan manager of the Coleraine shop, said:

“People in Coleraine have been asking about how they can help people in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia at such a terrible time. A cash donation to the Oxfam appeal is the most effective way to help the emergency relief effort.”

“Our customers can pop into the shop to make a donation and do their bit to help today,” she added.

Oxfam is unable to send out material donations directly to East Africa, as it is vastly more expensive and inefficient to send goods from here rather than source them locally.

However, people in Coleraine, who want to donate items to help the humanitarian relief effort, should still take donations of clothing, books, music and homewares to the Coleraine Oxfam shop, as the funds raised from their sale are fundamental in allowing the charity to continue saving lives around the world.