African drought and famine receive attention from Lutherans

by James Morgan

An adult helps an infant drink water in Borena, Ethiopia (Photo: ACT/DCA/Binyan Mengesha)

As famine conditions worsen in eastern Africa, with thousands streaming into refugee camps, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) is taking action to bring much needed food to more than 18,000 starving people.

Food aid worth $1.5 million and weighing 1,900 tons is on its way to Ethiopia in partnership with the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Department for World Service. The drought-stricken Goro region will receive 650 tons of wheat, 165 tons of beans, more than 57 tons of famix (a food supplement), and more than 49 tons of cooking oil. Agencies will distribute the assistance freely and through food for work programs until October of this year. A serious lack of rain in the region has led many people to sell their livestock and farming equipment to survive.

A Somali woman reaches Ethiopia after a five-day walk. (ACT/NCA photo)

CLWR also supports the operation of refugee camps for Somalis fleeing famine and political instability. The Canadian organization works through the LWF Department for World Service, which manages the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya on behalf of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. As of July 17, approximately 388,000 people live in the camp. Approximately 1,300 people arrive each day, many suffering from malnutrition, dehydration, and exhaustion. The Dadaab camp is the largest refugee camp in the world. LWF is also involved with distributing personal care products, food, and water.

In addition to the current efforts, CLWR projects have brought a reliable food supply, safe water, and effective farming methods toEthiopia, Mozambique and Zambia in recent years. Money spent on development is matched equally by the Canadian government, and is even sometimes matched at two or three times the original value.

“We encourage all members of our congregations to pray for the people in Africa, and assist in this relief effort,” says Rev. Dr. Leonardo Neitzel, mission and social ministry executive for Lutheran Church–Canada. “The Lord Jesus has blessed each of us. Jesus reached out in loving compassion to all people; He graciously cared for all those in need; and He showed the extent of His love for all when He gave His life on the cross to save all people.”

Dr. Neitzel said that as we face the challenge of seeing our brothers and sisters in Africa suffering from famine “the same Lord encourages us to reach out with compassion and love, helping and assisting those who suffer. He calls us to abide and act on the example of love shown to us (John13:15).”

Reflecting on the words of Jesus, Dr. Neitzel explained that “at the very end, He will seal His promises to His people: ‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. . . Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me’”(Matthew 25:35, 45).

You can donate:

By making a designated offering donation at anyLutheranChurchcongregation inCanada.
Online at www.clwr.org/donate. When completing the form, you will come to a pull-down menu that allows you to designate a specific project. Choose “2011East Africa Drought.”
By calling: 1-800-661-2597
By sending a cheque made payable to CLWR,302-393 Portage Avenue,Winnipeg,MBR3B 3H6. Please indicate that you wish to contribute toEast Africadrought relief.

For more information see http://www.clwr.org/What-We-Do/EastAfricadrought.cfm