THOUSANDS STARVE AS EXTREME FAMINE HITS PARTS OF AFRICA (2022)

Unprecedented famine conditions not seen in the last 40 years are gripping parts of Africa.  Back-to-back droughts, COVID-19, and effects from the Ukraine war have created dire conditions for the eastern region. 

Somalia and its neighbors in the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia and Kenya, are facing unprecedented drought conditions.

Picture: Horn of Africa

Alex Marianelli who works with the World Food Program said “we’ve had four failed rains. The drought that we are currently seeing in the Horn of Africa is the worst drought in over 40 years. On average, one person dies every 48 seconds from hunger in the Horn of Africa”.

Fadumo Abdi Aliyow, a single mother living in Somalia last month buried her two sons in the outskirts of Mogadishu. Both died from starvation.  In an interview with CBN News she lamented saying "I wanted to die before them so they could bury me, but both of them died before me" .

Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, a UNICEF representative warned, "Many wells have also dried up. Because of the drought, many water sources have dried up,". With crops failing, the United Nations says some 22 million people are at risk of starvation, many of them farmers who only grow enough food to feed their own families, she further added.

Many in the region who rely on livestock for livelihood have seen massive numbers of their animals wiped out. For example, in northern Kenya, we've lost about 1.5 million herds of livestock.

Joseph Kamara with World Vision Kenya, told CBN News. "Similarly, in southern Ethiopia we've lost about two million. In Somalia, we've even stopped counting."

In Somalia alone, around eight million people or half the population, are experiencing crisis hunger levels. One-in-three children face chronic malnutrition.”

Anne Kasombo who oversees CBN's offices in Kenya said "It's been a buildup: From COVID, to inflation, to drought, to war in Ukraine. So just before one situation gets better, another one crops up so the impact has been quite deep and long. It's devastating. It's been tough on families”.  In partnership with Operation Blessing, they've been distributing food and other aid supplies to some of the hardest-hit regions of her country.

"It's been quite devastating in some communities, especially in the arid areas, even when there's rain, food is hard to come by because they're not able to grow their food," Kasombo said.

Picture: People affected by famine in Eastern Africa

In Ghana, citizens have been warned of an impending food shortage from the end of 2022 into 2023. Dr. Charles Nyaaba, who is the head of Programmes and Advocacy of the Petty Farmers Association of Ghana in an interview on Accra based 3FM, has cautioned the people to stock up food. The reason for this is due to an increase in the cost of producing crops and transportation. He said “consumers should purchase food items like maize, rice, millet, among others and store them because the prices are going to escalate.”

In times like these, saving of money and basic food ingredients especially non-perishables is highly encouraged. Spending on trends is counter productive as these trends never end and constantly change rendering what the owner once considered the latest now old. The way of the ant in Proverbs 6:6 is what all believers are to pick up and apply. Seeing the times and preparing adequately for it as Joseph did in Genesis 47:13-27 should be imitated by every believer. The ability is see and act in wisdom is key to thriving and that’s what GOD wants for his people. A people of wisdom.  A people of saving.