(PORTLAND, Ore., July 19, 2011)-The worst drought in 60 years has hit East Africa, leaving 11 million people malnourished and sick. It's estimated that 30 to 40 percent of the children are suffering from acute malnutrition. Portland-based Medical Teams International is sending in the first of two teams to help beginning this week.

Three international disaster relief professionals from Medical Teams International staff leave Saturday for Somalia. They bring much-needed medical supplies to help treat the sick to Somalis who are walking for days toward Kenya in search of food and water. The team also will assess the short and long-term needs of those who are severely malnourished.

Team members include: Janis Lindsteadt, Director of Technical Services, Portland, Ore.; Dilanga Manuweera, Emergency Medical Technician from Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and David Aula, Program Officer for Uganda.  A second team - made up of U.S. medical volunteers - will follow in a few days after receiving reports from the 'first-in' team.

You can help save lives of Somalian people; donate today to Medical Teams International on the East[...]

[Published in AidNews - Read the original article]