Southern Africa: Africare Assists Food Crisis Victims in Southern and Eastern Africa

19 March 2003
Africare (Washington, DC)
press release

Washington, DC — Africare President's Trip to Ethiopia Highlights Emergency

At a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, March 18, Julius E. Coles, President of Africare, reported on his recently completed trip to Ethiopia, where 14 million people face the threat of starvation. "I believe that the current food crisis confronting Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa is a major emergency," stated Coles.

In Ethiopia, 20 percent of the total population are facing dire effects of the food crisis: 11 million people are in need of immediate emergency assistance, while 3 million more are at risk. Through 2003, 1.4 million metric tons of food assistance are needed in Ethiopia; only 700,000 tons have been pledged by the international community. While necessary, emergency assistance is not the most effective way to cope with Ethiopia's chronic food crisis. Mr. Coles observed that while the U.S. government gave Ethiopia $200 million in emergency aid last year, only $4 million was given in development assistance (U.S. government FY2003). "This proportion has to be reversed," noted Coles. He indicated a need for the U.S. government to support long-term development in Ethiopia, such as water projects, agricultural production, and improved roads that allow foods to be delivered to markets.

During 2002, food shortage intensified throughout Southern and Eastern Africa. An estimated 38 million people across Africa are currently at risk for death by starvation in 2003. Africare has been actively working toward staving off the growing food crisis.

Africare's Program of Food Assistance in the Horn of Africa

Africare has launched efforts to combat famine in the Horn of Africa. In February 2003, Africare, in partnership with Catholic Relief Services and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), began emergency food distribution to 25,000 at-risk families (125,000 individuals) in the drought-stricken Gambella region of Ethiopia. Africare has also launched a food security program in neighboring Eritrea, with support from USAID and in partnership with the government of Eritrea. This program will reach 38,000 people, emphasizing improved agricultural production and adequate child growth and nutrition.

Africare's Program of Food Assistance in Southern Africa

In February, a consortium of 10 assistance agencies, led by Africare, launched a supplementary feeding program in Malawi, providing more than 430,000 children and 210,000 pregnant or lactating women-those most vulnerable to malnutrition-with emergency food supplies and other medical support. Malawi has been among the Southern African countries hardest hit by the crisis.

Africare Promotes Sustainable Development

Africare programs also continue to address the root causes that make African populations vulnerable to famine. Africare's ongoing agricultural development programs in 22 African countries continue to strengthen farmers' capacities to feed themselves-and to better absorb the shocks caused by natural disaster or civil strife.

Also exacerbating Africa's susceptibility to famine is the HIV/AIDS crisis. African families' abilities to secure food for themselves is hindered by the illness and death due to AIDS of those who are responsible for providing the household's resources. Africare is currently administering HIV/AIDS programs in 17 countries, with the additional integration of HIV/AIDS components into current programs in other countries, as well. Africare's HIV/AIDS initiatives include HIV prevention and voluntary counseling and testing, care and support for people already infected with HIV or suffering from AIDS, and assistance to AIDS orphans.

In his trip to Ethiopia to assess the needs incurred by the current food crisis, Mr. Coles joined Ken Hackett of Catholic Relief Services and Kathryn Wolford of Lutheran World Relief. They met with local communities to speak about the crisis, as well as high-ranking officials such as Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Aurelia E. Brazeal, and representatives from USAID. Mr. Coles is available for media interviews regarding this trip.

Africare is a leader in aid to Africa as well as the oldest and largest African-American organization specializing in African aid. Over its 33-year history, Africare has delivered more than $400 million in assistance-representing over 2,000 projects and millions of beneficiaries-to 35 countries Africa-wide. Today, Africare's 150-plus programs reach families and communities in 26 nations in every region of the African continent.

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