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Many of you are aware that Ethiopia is experiencing another round of famine. Eight million lives are at risk, and millions more face severe malnutrition. Despite warnings that lack of adequate rains for the past three years would cause massive starvation, the Ethiopian government and international relief agencies have not supplied adequate food to the region. The rains have come, but experts have said they are “too little and too late.”

The worst areas of drought are in the southern areas, and in the southeastern region known as “Ogaden.” John Haspels, PC(USA) mission co-worker reports that in southern Ethiopia, he and his wife, Gwen, are battling despair. People regularly come to their home begging desperately for food. John and Gwen have tried to find work for the people to do, so that they will be working, rather than begging, for food, but there isn’t enough work to meet the demand–and people are increasingly unable to work because of the ruthless physical effects of starvation. He asks for our prayers.

The Illubabor region, where Shenandoah Presbytery has a partnership with the Illubabor Bethel Synod, is one of the least-affected areas of the country. While the effects of the drought have caused starvation and many deaths in areas surrounding Mettu, where the Synod offices are located, Mettu itself is not terribly affected. This does not diminish the Synod’s concern, however, as it attempts to meet the needs of the whole person in the surrounding areas.

The good news is that the rains have come, and those who can hang onto life for another one to three months have a good chance of being fed. Please pray.

The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance office is one way Presbyterians are responding to this great need. To date, PDA has been working with the Mekane Yesus denomination in providing over $100,000 worth of food relief. You may contact PDA through or by calling 1-888-728-7228, ext. 5840 and speaking with Susan Ryan. The PDA website has an excellent article written by Paul Jeffrey of ACT (Action by Churches Together) entitled, “Why Another Drought in Ethiopia?”

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