The Feeding of the 24,904

The Feeding of the 24,904

 

What’s happening?

 

Belo Jeganfoy and Sasiga are two districts in western Ethiopia. The livelihood of the people living in these districts comes primarily from agriculture. May and June are the best months for planting crops and preparing for the rainy season. However, during May-June 2008 clashes broke out between the Gumuz and Oromo ethnic groups in Sasiga and Belo Jeganfoy districts. These clashes killed more than a hundred people and displaced thousands more. The aftereffects of this conflict have been compounded by the interruption of the planting season; now, thousands of people in Sasiga and Belo Jeganfoy are food insecure.

 

Food for the Hungry Ethiopia is helping by providing a general ration of food commodities (Sorghum, Haricot Bean, and edible oil) to 24,904 people in the affected areas. Women who are lactating or pregnant, and children under five years of age, will also be assisted with supplementary food. This aid will last for five months in Sasiga, and four months in Belo Jeganfoy (where the government is already providing one month of relief).

 

What do we see?

 

As the program grows forward, Food for the Hungry Ethiopia expects to see the increase of food consumption (average number of meals per day) in the people whose livelihoods have been endangered by the conflict in Belo Jeganfoy and Sasiga, as well as improved nutritional status in mothers and young children. Through this Food for the Hungry Ethiopia intends to save livelihoods and lives.