WHEN Simplyhealth’s charitable committee heard that severe drought and the rising cost of food has left millions of people in East Africa facing a huge food shortage the team had to act.

In response, the healthcare provider has donated £50,000 to Save the Children’s food crisis in East Africa appeal which will help around 1,000 malnourished children caught up in this major disaster.

Justin Forsyth, chief executive, Save the Children, said: “We are hugely grateful for this donation from Simplyhealth.

“It will help some of the thousands of Kenyan and Somali children who are facing starvation in what is East Africa’s worst drought in 60 years.

“Save the Children is on the ground doing all we can to make sure children have clean drinking water, food and basic medical care to stop this crisis becoming far worse.

“The £50,000 donation will help us to equip five mobile outpatient teams, which will provide much needed medical treatment to around 1,000 malnourished children throughout the region and help save lives.”

Des Benjamin, chief executive for Simplyhealth, added: “Recent media coverage has really highlighted just how desperate the situation in East Africa is becoming.

“Although we normally only work within our immediate communities these world neighbours need our help now and we would urge other organisations and individuals alike to take action and support Save the Children with this incredibly deserving appeal.”

For further information about Save the Children’s East Africa Appeal or on Save the Children itself, please visit www.savethechildren.org.uk. For further information about Simplyhealth please visit www.simplyhealth.co.uk where you can also find links to the appeal.