« Karibu Africa », the charity event held on 19 August 2022 in the Hamptons in north-eastern New York (USA), raised $500,000. The money will help fund the activities of the African Community & Conservation Foundation (ACCF) and Tusk. The two organisations collaborate on community outreach and wildlife protection in eastern and southern Africa.
The Hamptons, a resort town north-east of New York City in the United States of America, was alive and kicking on the evening of 19 August 2022 for African wildlife conservation. The charity event, called « Karibu Africa », was attended by many celebrities, including Quinton Aaron, the actor from the film The Blind Side, and mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins. The event raised over $500,000 to help fund the activities of two charities in eastern and southern Africa.
These are the African Community & Conservation Foundation (ACCF) and Tusk, a UK-based conservation organisation funded since 2005 by Prince William. « After the huge success of the Hamptons Lion Trail last summer, we are delighted to once again come together with our partner ACCF to co-host this summer event to raise vital funds for our combined conservation efforts across Africa, » says Charles Mayhew, CEO of Tusk.
This satisfaction was also expressed by Brady Forseth, CEO of ACCF, who also outlined the areas of focus for their funding. « The funds raised will help us fuel capacity building programmes in food security, humanitarian aid, anti-poaching and conservation in our projects in rural Africa, » says Brady Forseth.
The funding obtained by ACCF and its partner Tusk comes in an African conservation context made difficult by several exogenous factors. The Covid-19 pandemic has devastated jobs and livelihoods across the continent and simultaneously jeopardised years of conservation projects. In addition, the Russian-Ukrainian war is collaterally creating a global food crisis, with shipments of wheat and other grains to Africa halted.
Fanta Mabo
