Famine in Ethiopia Is Looming, Groups Warn

L.A. Times Archives

March 22, 2003 12 AM PT

From Times Wire Reports

Religious relief and aid organizations warned this week that Ethiopia is again on the brink of famine, and called for greater funding for and attention to the African country and its neighbors.

“More people are affected by this food shortage than in 1984, when 1 million lives were lost,” said Ken Hackett, executive director of Catholic Relief Services, based in Baltimore, who appeared at a news conference Tuesday with executives of Lutheran World Relief and Africare.

On the same day, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans to help the East African nation by providing special food supplies for its malnourished residents.

A church-chartered plane delivered 40 tons of a porridge mixture that will help the malnourished who are able to eat only easily digestible foods. More shipments will follow.

The previous season’s lack of rain has prevented irrigation of crops in Ethiopia and prompted the loss of many farmers’ harvests. The natural factors have been exacerbated by the HIV-AIDS epidemic that has struck the continent.

Here is contact information for contributions to the hunger crisis:

Catholic Relief Services

Africa Hunger Crisis

P.O. Box 17090

Baltimore, MD 21203-7090

(800) 736-3467

www.catholicrelief.org

Lutheran World Relief

Africa Food Crisis

P.O. Box 17061

Baltimore, MD 21298-9832

(800) 597-5972