Catastrophic hunger crisis in Ethiopia is far from over

A hand up

‘Our teams visited districts across Borena, speaking with different communities and local leaders and working with them to make sure we could address their needs in any response we carried out,’ explains Simba.

The first stage of our response in Borena has been to work with a local partner to distribute cash grants to families suffering from hunger.

‘Giving cash means that families are able to set their own priorities,’ says Simba. ‘It doesn’t assume all families have the same requirements and gives people greater dignity as they can choose to buy what they need – making it less of a handout and more of a hand up.’

Empowering women

‘In emergencies like these, it’s really important to tackle the short-term needs,’ shares Simba. ‘But we need to look for ways we can raise up people in the community to help lift their families out of poverty in the long-term.’

The next stages of our work in Borena focuses on this long-term objective.

Initially, business skills training will be provided to 100 women, equipping them to set up their own small business. This is usually petty trading, where they buy and sell goods – usually small animals, oil and household items – for a profit.

‘Whenever we run training like this, we see women become more confident and empowered to turn things around for their families,’ says Simba. ‘As farming is increasingly unreliable due to the drought, families need another income to survive. This sets them up for the future.’

Building resilience

Following this, Tearfund will be leading training for ten people in how they can help prepare and keep their communities safe when disasters – such as extreme weather events – strike. It will cover how to spot early warning signs, how communities can prepare for disasters, as well as how to organise a response when the worst happens.

‘This is a really effective way of getting communities involved in what they need to do to protect themselves in times of hardship. It builds up their resilience to future emergencies,’ says Simba.

‘The training runs like a ripple effect. These ten people will then train up their entire communities and share this important messaging far and wide.’

Far from over

The effects of the drought are widespread across Ethiopia, as more than 8.5 million people are going hungry each day. This project above is just one out of many we’re running to help communities who are suffering from the effects of the hunger crisis.

We continue to work with churches and local partners across Ethiopia to help communities access food and water, as well as equip them with business skills and new farming techniques so they can adapt to the changing climate.

But the likelihood of another season of failed harvests is approaching, which is going to be disastrous for the people of Ethiopia.

God is with us

‘We are seeking God's intervention into the challenging situations in Ethiopia,’ explains Simba.

‘During our weekly staff devotions, we continue to pray for the country, especially about the conflict and the drought. We trust that God has feasible solutions towards the ever worsening situation in the country.

‘One of the Bible verses we refer in our times of prayer for Ethiopia is 2 Chronicles 7: 14: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

‘We cannot face this crisis without God. Please join with us and pray for the people of Ethiopia during this extremely difficult time.’

Pray with us

How to pray for our new project in Borena

• Thank God for the success of the recent cash grant distributions and pray for smooth running of the next planned distribution.
• Ask God to bless the women who will be participating in the upcoming business skills training. Pray that the businesses they set up will release their families from poverty and inspire other women to do the same.
• Pray for God to guide the people taking part in the disaster-response training as to how they can best support and protect their communities in the long-term.

How to pray for Ethiopia

• Pray for provision of nourishing food and clean water for those in need.
• Ask God to bring the rainfall that is needed. Pray that this will lead to abundant harvests and for water sources to spring up again closer to communities.
• Pray for healing for those who are suffering from malnutrition and hunger. Pray that they will feel God’s love and comfort surrounding them. Pray that there will be no long-term side effects or medical conditions due to hunger.

For more ways to pray for Ethiopia, check out our East Africa prayer guide, which features prayer points, as well as creative activities for individuals and small groups.