Back in the 1980s, constant media coverage made “famine” a virtual synonym for “Ethiopia.” But the root issues were never entirely resolved, and now a new drought is underway, and many families in rural villages are reliving the nightmare.
The combination of dry weather, high food prices, and inadequate farming techniques has forced the Ethiopian government to send out a plea for emergency aid for 6.2 million people – a number that might soon rise as desperate families sell their livestock to satisfy their immediate hunger.
Ethiopia is a very ancient country with Christian roots going back to New Testament times. It also has a large Muslim population as well as surviving remnants of indigenous African religions – but famine doesn’t discriminate.
Please pray for our Cross Catholic ministry partners on the ground in Ethiopia, as they struggle to serve the poor during this strenuous time. With help from our generous supporters, we are doing our part to bring relief to needy families whose lives are difficult even in good weather.
For example, our Borana Primary School feeding program, run by the Spiritan Fathers, provides daily nutritious meals to poor Ethiopian children in a rural area where food is often scarce. The lunches are protecting hundreds of children from the terrible effects of malnutrition – such as stunted growth, weakened immunity, distended bellies, and even death – while also giving poor families a financial incentive to send their kids to Catholic schools instead of keeping them at home to work. The program also enhances the religious outreach of the Spiritan Fathers, by helping them demonstrate the mercy and love of Christ.
Click here to learn more about our Borana Primary School feeding program.