Ethiopia
4.6 million Ethiopians urgently need food aid
Children are dying as some 4.6 million people in Ethiopia are facing severe malnutrition as a result of drought and lack of food.
In southern Ethiopia, where the situation is at its worst, starving children with emaciated bodies and desperate faces are being treated every day at hospitals, health centers and churches. Ethiopian officials estimate as many as 125,000 children are suffering from severe or acute malnutrition.
Severity exceeding predictions
Disturbingly, many older children and adults - who are more resistant to food shortages - are also starting to arrive at nutrition centers indicating the severity of the crisis may be increasing more rapidly than previously thought.
Complicating matters, there are multiple causes of this emergency. Drought is just one issue with rising food prices and other economic factors also contributing to the gravity of the situation. Even in areas where food is available, recent dramatic price hikes have pushed the cost beyond the reach of many people.
Another problem, aid workers say, is the fact that donor money is being diverted to victims of the recent disasters in China and Myanmar.
A Glimmer of Hope's response
A Glimmer of Hope has allocated $500,000 to its food aid effort in addition to the funds already budgeted for development projects in 2008. It has already sent $250,000 to its office in Addis Ababa to buy a locally manufactured, fortified blended food called Famix. A blend of corn, soy and other nutrients, Famix is a high nourishment porridge that is easy and quick to prepare.
For $3.78, less than a latte at Starbucks, A Glimmer of Hope is able to buy enough of this food to feed a child or a nursing mother for a month.
But it's not enough as experts believe this situation could last until November. We need your help to keep this effort - and the affected people - alive.
$3.78 will save a life
Every step has been taken to ensure maximum efficiency with regard to the distribution of the food supplies purchased by A Glimmer of Hope and its supporters. And, the foundation's 100% Promise means your money will only go towards buying the food that will save someone's life.
Please give to our Food Crisis Fund today. No amount is too small. $5 could mean the difference between life and death for an Ethiopian child.