wfn.org | AFRICA REGIONAL: CHURCH AGENCIES RESPOND TO DROUGHT

[Audrey Whitefield <a.whitefield@quest.org.uk>]

Oct. 21, 1997
ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE
Canon Jim Rosenthal, Director of Communications
Anglican Communion Office
London, England

[97.10.1.1]

AFRICA REGIONAL: CHURCH AGENCIES RESPOND TO DROUGHT

(LWI)  Changes in weather cycles have had a devastating effect on
Africa's abilities to feed itself.  Drought conditions that normally
recur every five to ten years in Tanzania have recently occurred every
three years. The government in Ethiopia says 4.6 million people need
relief assistance. The lack of rain in Mauritania again this year is
expected to result in widespread crop losses.  Action by Churches
Together (ACT) is appealing for help with its efforts to feed the
hungry.

The United Nations World Food Program warned that three million
Tanzanians face severe food shortages over the next several months
because of the drought. President Benjamin Mpaka has declared a national
food emergency and banned all food exports.

"This is yet another calamity in the region," said Kaanaeli Makundi,
coordinator for program implementation in the Department for World
Service of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). "Tanzanians are not just
caring for themselves but also for refugees from Rwanda, Zaire and
Burundi who are presently in Tanzania."

ACT is working through the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania,
LWF's Tanganyika Christian Refugee Service and the Christian Council of
Tanzania to implement coordinated drought relief in Tanzania.  They are
buying seeds to be distributed during the September-October planting
season and providing supplementary food stocks to the vulnerable
populations.

ACT works to meet human need by coordinating the emergency response of a
worldwide network of churches.  It is organisationally based in the
Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches.

"Food relief is a temporary measure.  It must be combined with measures
to make it easier to cope with the next round of droughts," said Mr
Makundi. "Those affected by the drought are involved in making decisions
on the measures being taken, in the distribution of the food and in
making others aware of the implications if sustainable measures are not
taken."

ACT is calling on Churches around the world to raise US$ 2,682,110 for
the program in Tanzania.  The appeal has already brought in US$ 564,882.

In Ethiopia the situation is desperate due to the failure of rains and
grim forecasts for anticipated rains.  Since ACT began planning in March
to provide relief assistance in Ethiopia, the number of people in need
has increased from one million to 3.4 million.

More than 330,000 metric tons of food aid is needed in Ethiopia, ACT
reports, of which slightly more than 50 percent is available.  The
elderly, children, lactating mothers and people with disabilities
constitute 20 percent of the vulnerable population.

ACT's Mauritania Program with LWF World Service hopes to feed 1,000
malnourished children and 750 vulnerable mothers and to restock or
create 19 cereal banks.  With a target of US $ 158,520, the appeal has
received US $ 58,800.  Without additional funding the program will drop
its rehabilitation elements to focus on supplementary feeding centers.