The aftermath of an extended drought continues to affect more than 24 million people in Ethiopia, and it is estimated that over 10 million will need food assistance this year. Failed harvests and droughts have been particularly severe in the south of the country, causing loss of crops and the death of livestock. When rain did finally arrive recently, it caused flooding. (You can read more here.) Tearfund is responding with partners in a severely affected community in Borena in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. This week, pray that they will make it through this protracted crisis.
Sunday 11 June
Abudo, a Pastor in Borena says, ‘The famine is very challenging, and it has happened for five years. The community depended on the rain and if it stopped for a year, then it would usually rain the next. Now the drought is severe.’ Lift up Pastor Abudo and his church – pray that the drought will end.
Monday 12 June
‘We asked the community to pray, and we have been comforting them by sharing the message we received from God,’ says Pastor Abudo. ‘We tell them that God doesn't want us to perish but change.’ Pray for the success of Pastor Abudo’s plans to set up 100 women in his community in small businesses to provide income for food.
Tuesday 13 June
Jilo, aged 60, from Borena has lost most of her livestock because of the drought. ‘We only have a baby goat,’ she says. ‘We had about ten cows. But we are left with just two calves now.’ Lord, help Tearfund’s partners reach people in greatest need with cash grants so that they can buy food and provisions.
Wednesday 14 June
With no rain for so long, like many others, Jilo is desperate to find other sources of income to buy food. So she collects firewood. ‘We take it to the roadside and sell it, but it cannot even buy us dinner.’ Pray that Tearfund partners will be able to provide food relief in the short term and teach people like Jilo new skills to earn money.
Thursday 15 June
‘In the past, I had ten cattle,’ says Kubsa, a husband and father of two. ‘We had ten cows back then. When the rains came and the grass grew, they reproduced and we drank their milk and made cheese.’ Lord, we ask you to provide rain so that the life that people like Kubsa enjoyed in the past will come again.
Friday 16 June
‘People should not lose their hope in God,’ says Kubsa. ‘Even though we did not get rain, we are alive.’ Ask that Tearfund’s partners will reach more families like Kubsa’s facing such hardship, to help them with their immediate needs and find longer-term solutions.
Saturday 17 June
Lord God, we thank you for amazing people like Kubsa who choose to maintain their hope in you despite this time of unbearable loss. Please hear their cries for help and support so that once again they can enjoy the fruits of their labour. We lift up our church partners and others responding to the crisis across Ethiopia, guide them to reach people in greatest need. Amen.
Our How to Pray for the East Africa hunger crisis guide contains further resources on this week’s theme if you would like to pray further. Thank you for your prayers.
