As many of you know, Ethiopia is currently experiencing a devastating famine and drought. The Southern region is particularly hard hit. As the area where several of our Board member’s children are from and where many of us have travelled, this has hit especially close to home for Ethiopian Orphan Relief. One of the positive (and free!) things you can do to help is to write a letter to your government officials. Not sure where to start? An example is below. You can find links to email addresses for all elected officials (including the President!) here.
Dear Senator:
Today I write to bring to your attention the devastating food shortage in Ethiopia as caused by the combined effects of drought, insufficient emergency resources, and the increase in food cost. Reports from Ethiopia are calling this situation the worst since the major humanitarian crisis of 2003.
UNICEF estimates over 126,000 children are in need of urgent therapeutic care for severe malnutrition, and is reporting a dire need for additional funding to provide for the increase in therapeutic supplies. Among children under five years of age, it is estimated that six million face the risk of acute malnutrition.
After spending time in Ethiopia (specifically the hardest hit southern region) last summer, I can speak personally to the resourceful, efficient, and resilient nature of Ethiopians as a people. A people full of such beauty, pride, and rich history deserve the aid required to persevere.
The US Department of State states that “Ethiopia is a strategic partner of the United States in the Global War on Terrorism.” and that “U.S. development assistance to Ethiopia is focused on reducing famine vulnerability, hunger, and poverty and emphasizes economic, governance, and social sector policy reforms.”
USAID supports the Government Of Ethiopia’s Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Commission to respond to crises in a rapid, integrated, and coordinated manner. Timely warning in the two most recent droughts that occurred almost back-to-back ensured a rapid delivery of food, health, agriculture, and water assistance and saved thousands of lives.
It is time for the US to recognize that assistance is needed once again. I implore you to provide immediate, critical, and ample aid to end this suffering.
I am counting on your attention to this crisis.
Thank you,
(Thank you to my friend Kelly of Gunnison, CO, mother to Amara from Southern Ethiopia, for writing this letter and allowing us to share it with you. Please feel free to pass it along to friends and family, post links on your blogs, etc.)
