As members of the Waterloo community we were called to action by the dire conditions in East Africa. Why we took this initiative on is in the name - Waterloo cares. We wanted to exercise the compassion, dedication and teamwork that reflects our community. While we do our part for the Kitchener-Waterloo region, it’s important that we also do our part as global citizens for our brothers and sisters in humanity. As we help abroad, it strengthens us as a community. The inception of this project started with members being concerned about the lack of awareness of this crisis, the UW MSA realized that this initiative was much bigger than any one club or organization, this was about raising awareness and helping those in need. We approached as many organizations as we could to partner on this project, because together we are stronger and can make a bigger impact!

3 Quick Things:

1. Why?: After enduring years of drought, conditions have deteriorated to alarming levels in Somalia. Basic access to food and water is being threatened. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien has called the situation the largest humanitarian crisis since the creation of the UN.

2. Waterloo Cares: It's all in the name! Waterloo does care, we are coming together as a community to do what's right. Co-organizers of this campaign include:

• Afghan Student Association of Waterloo
• Science Society (UW)
• Students For Palestinian Rights
• Thaqalayn Muslim Association (Waterloo-Laurier)
• UW Aboriginal Students' Association
• UW African Students Association
• UW Black Association for Student Expression
• UW Muslim Students' Association
• UW Pakistani Students' Association
• UW Somali Students' Association
• Waterloo Engineering Society
• Waterloo Ismaili Students Association
• WLU Muslim Students' Association
• WPIRG

3. Financial Transparency: Human Concern International has been chosen as the charity of choice. They are a reputable Canadian registered charity, with their finance statements available at: https://www.humanconcern.org/financials/
All funds will be directly deposited to from this campaign to their 'Somalia Famine Fund' and tax receipts will be available.
https://www.humanconcern.org/drought-in-somalia/

As an extension of this campaign the UW and WLU MSA End of Term of Dinner will focus on collecting donations and raising awareness about the conditions in East Africa.