NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (November 03, 2011) – An Oct. 21, 2011 press release entitled "Salesian Missions Responds to Transfer of More than 60,000 Somali Refugees in Kenya from Dadaab Camp to Kakuma Camp, Calls on Public for Donations" contained inaccurate information about the transfer of refugees. The reporting of the transfer of refugees from Dadaab to Kakuma was inaccurate. No such transfer occurred.

Salesian Missions apologizes for the publishing of the inaccurate information and is looking into the matter to make sure it does not happen again. The press release contained information provided by a Salesian news agency in Rome and the source of the original reporting is being researched.

"The Salesians are viewed as one of the most reliable organizations working in this field," says Father Mark Hyde, executive director of Salesian Missions. "We are extremely grateful for our partners such as the UN Refugee Agency, and we sincerely apologize for the publishing of the inaccurate press release. We are working to assure our partners and supporters that this will not happen again."

Currently, Salesian Missions is working to raise funds to support the aid efforts of Salesians in the Horn of Africa (Kenya and Ethiopia). A "Famine Relief Fund" has been created to assist with the care of refugees at the Kakuma Camp in northwest Kenya. The camp population is 84,381 according to an Oct. 31, 2011, report from UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency). At the refugee camp, Salesians provide food, water and educational opportunities.

Salesians work around the globe in more than 130 countries—providing food, shelter, educational opportunities for youth and disaster relief, when needed. Salesian Missions—headquartered in New Rochelle, N.Y.—is the U.S. development arm of the global Salesians of Don Bosco. More information is available at SalesianMissions.org.

ABOUT THE SALESIANS WORKING IN THE HORN OF AFRICA:

The Salesians were working in the Kakuma refugee camp years before the current drought and famine crisis. Working to improve the lives of those in the camps, the Salesians operate a training school serving more than 1,000 students.

In Kenya, the Salesians are distributing food and water in the most destitute areas such as Turkana, Korr, Nzaikoki and Marsabit, according to a statement from the Salesian Info Agency. Volunteers are also distributing maize, vegetables, cooking oil, sugar and salt.

In the city of Jijiga, Ethiopia, a partnership between Salesian NGOs is currently providing about 10,000 to 12,000 liters of water daily using two water carriers. Jijiga is the region most affected in Ethiopia and Salesian food supplies have reached a new orphanage created to help the huge increase in the number of orphans in the area. At a refugee camp in Dolo Ado, Ethiopia, the Salesians are feeding 11,500 people affected by the famine and drought – a number of them refugees from Somalia. The Salesians have been asked by local authorities to continue the food distributions for at least the next six months. The Salesians operate 11 centers in Ethiopia, where they are working to distribute life-saving aid such as multi-vitamin and multi-protein products.

The Salesians are part of the international Catholic response to the crisis, reaching approximately one million people currently.