The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is joining with ecumenical partners to respond to the ongoing famine in Kenya and other countries in the Eastern Horn of Africa as more than 20 million people in the region are in crisis. Week of Compassion and Division of Overseas Ministries/Global Ministries staff members report this year marks the driest period in the Eastern Horn of Africa region since 1995, with the lowest level of rainfall in more than 50 years. As a result, food security – the access and availability to food – has deteriorated for most households. Crops have failed, large numbers of livestock needed for survival have perished, and local food prices have increased substantially.
Sandra Gourdet, Area Executive for Africa in DOM/Global Ministries, says the Organization of African Initiated Churches (OAIC) and the Presbyterian of East Africa are preparing response project proposals this week that will focus on immediate and long-term solutions. Week of Compassion Associate Director Brandon Gilvin said Disciples assistance is being directed to Church World Service and the ACT Alliance, which are focused on providing immediate relief and longer-term food security/nutrition and water initiatives.
Week of Compassion updates on the situation are at
www.weekofcompassion.org/updates/2011/7/21/drought-in-east-africa-the-worst-in-decades.html
Updates from Global Ministries can be found at
globalministries.org/news/africa/africa-drought.html
Gifts for famine relief can be given online at www.weekofcompassion.org
