Field Dispatch 2011-08-12 | Getachew Tesfaye, ETHIOPIA – ChildFund is providing relief food to thousands
I would like to convey our sincere gratitude to all who are standing by our side at this trying moment, and by the sides of tens of thousands of children and families who are going through the effects of drought in my country, Ethiopia.
The humanitarian situation induced by the shortage of rains for consecutive seasons has affected 4.5 million people in Ethiopia. Some of the children and families are in ChildFund’s operational areas.
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and donors around the world, we have been able to provide emergency relief food items to close to 17,000 people in Siraro district alone, which is contributing to the lifesaving efforts. “I will no longer have to sell my things to feed my family because of the timely assistance of ChildFund,” one father, Shabadir, told us.
Not only is ChildFund providing emergency relief items, but our long-term programmes continue in the areas of health and nutrition, water and sanitation, education, psychosocial support and economic strengthening. We will continue collaborating with the government, the community and other partners to identify needs and provide assistance.
The food shortage is expected to continue for some months to come — in some cases, up until the end of the year.
Rain is now coming intermittently in some areas of Ethiopia. Because the rain is patchy and not expected to produce food immediately, we will have to wait until after November or December for a post-harvest assessment to know the impact.
Jamela, a mother of six children, said, “I am very happy to take this food home to my children … but my prayer is that the rain will continue and my harvest will be ready in November.”
Getachew Tesfaye is ChildFund Ethiopia’s program director.
