Famine in the Horn of Africa

Greetings from Dadaab, Kenya!

Over the past week, Erica and I have had the pleasure of coming alongside our friend Amanda Lindhout and the Global Enrichment Foundation, as we have travelled together throughout the Northeastern Province of Kenya to join the current famine relief efforts. Along with representatives from other partner organizations, we drove the group to Garissa and Dadaab where we met with our friends at CARE International and had an opportunity to return to the Dadaab Refugee Camps which continue to receive 1300 to 1500 new refugees every day. Only the strongest are making the perilous journey through the arid lands of south-central Somalia. Many are left behind, too weak to carry on.

Last night, after a long dusty day, we had a simple supper in the United Nations Compound in Dadaab Village, where we met with many dedicated workers from around the world. We were told by one official that Satellite images reveal columns of more refugees moving toward the Kenyan border in search of help. The impact of this famine is staggering. It is overwhelming to witness such pain and suffering.

Tomorrow morning, Erica and Amanda are crossing the Somali border with a convoy of food under the guard of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia (TFG). The food aid is being targeted to the tens of thousands of refugees enroute to Dadaab.

Please Pray...

* For the safety of Amanda and Erica -- they are making an extremely courageous journey into a part of the world that most development agencies refuse to go.

* For the food convoy, that the "care packages" reach the people who need them the most!

* For peace in Somalia, that the current fighting between El Shabbab and TFG forces would cease.

* For an end to this famine!

* For resources that could be mobilized to enable organizations like Canadian Baptist Ministries or the Global Enrichment Foundation to get food to the people whose lives depend upon it.