Global Updates

Friday 18 July 2008

World Vision offices globally are already seeing the impacts on communities of the global food crisis.

In Ethiopia, nearly 100,000 people in World Vision-supported communities have recently experienced a more than 50% jump in food prices. Many families are selling assets to pay for the food, as well as the higher material costs for farming. This is only a short-term solution that is not sustainable.

Failure of the previous two consecutive rainy seasons and floods in some parts of Ethiopia has severely affected the availability of food, water and pasture. The rains are on now, and people are planting food crops like maize, which will not be ready until after four months.

Some 4.6 million people are severely affected by the drought in Ethiopia and in urgent need of food aid while the number of children with severe and acute malnutrition problem is estimated to be 75,000.

World Vision’s ongoing development programs in the affected areas have planned a response to the immediate needs of the drought-affected communities.

Impact on Sponsored Children

World Vision is doing everything in our power to avoid sponsored children from being affected by the crisis in Ethiopia. Sponsorship funds are available to purchase food locally for the poorest families when necessary and when the food is available.

Please be assured that if we receive information of concern regarding any sponsored children we contact the sponsor as a matter of urgency.

How you can help

Donations can be made to World Vision’s Emergency Relief Fund. The Emergency Relief Fund enables World Vision to provide emergency relief supplies and longer-term livelihood recovery assistance to communities affected by emergencies such as the crisis in Ethiopia.