Prayer for the East Africa food crisis For Secondary Schools

Background information: 23 million men, women and children in Africa and Yemen are experiencing severe food crisis. Millions of people in South Sudan, Kenya, Malawi, Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen and Nigeria are affected. Though South Sudan has been officially declared famine free by the United Nations (as of June 21), the situation facing the country and the other parts of East Africa, is critical. Almost 2 million people are on the brink of starvation and an estimated 6 million people face extreme food insecurity. Women and children are most at risk, where 1 million children are acutely malnourished and 270 000 children are at imminent risk of death. Somalia is on the brink of famine, with 6.7 million people requiring immediate humanitarian assistance. Climate change, conflict and inflation have all increased the severity of the crisis. This was the first official famine to be declared since 2011 in Somalia where more than a quarter of a million people died. This is the biggest humanitarian crisis currently facing Africa and may be the worst famine globally since the Ethiopian famine of 1984. The global Caritas network is providing emergency assistance to people in affected countries. Caritas Australia's partner agencies in South Sudan, Kenya and Malawi are delivering emergency relief in the form of water and food items such as beans, sugar, salt, oil and maize flour, and sanitation and emergency supplies. We will continue to monitor the situation. We stand with our brothers and sisters in Africa and offer a special prayer of peace and mercy for its people. Please take your time to reflect and dwell on the images. Further information about each photo is provided in the notes section, and there will also be an information resource available for download on the website. See http://www.caritas.org.au/learn/emergency-response/africa-aid-appeal/ for more information. Donations can be made to the ‘Africa emergency appeal’.

“We want the world to hear the true situation in which our people find themselves.. our country is gripped by a humanitarian crisis – famine, insecurity, and economic hardship. Our people are struggling simply to survive.” South Sudanese Bishops A quote from the pastoral letter from the South Sudanese bishops. Read the full letter here: http://www.caritas.org.au/learn/newsroom/news-detail/south-sudan-church-leaders-condemn-man-made-famine

God of Compassion, we gather to pray for our brothers and sisters in Africa who today face devastation and famine. Photo information: Many people have been displaced by the conflict in South Sudan. They have come to village like Lakakudu in Adior County where some 11,000 displaced people are living with host families. Photo credit: Trocaire (Caritas Ireland)

Photo information: Children carry water through Bidi Bidi camp (re in the evening. Bidi Bidi is a refugee camp in Uganda, where many South Sudanese are living. Photo by Tommy Trenchard for Caritas Photo credit: Tommy Trenchard Caritas Internationalis Network We ask that vital food and water quickly reach the millions of children, women and men in South Sudan, Malawi, Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Yemen. .

Guide leaders of nations and groups to cease conflict Guide leaders of nations and groups to cease conflict. May there be peace in East Africa. Photo information: Group of men in the village of Adior in Adior county in South Sudan. 15,000 in Adior county before the war. Now an additional 11,000 internally displaced people, living with this community. Photo credit: Trocaire (Caritas Ireland)

Protect and walk closely with those who have seen violence and lost their homes. Photo information: Women and children uprooted by the drought in Somalia built makeshift houses on the outskirts of Baidoa and will receive aid from Caritas Internatioanalis partners. Photo credit: Catholic Relief Services

Bidi Bidi Refugee Camp Members of the Ugandan host community prepare a patch of land for reforestation outside Bidi Bidi refugee camp. Photo by Tommy Trenchard for Caritas Photo credit: Tommy Trenchard Caritas Internationalis Network Sustain those who continue to try to provide for their families in this difficult time.

Strengthen neighbouring countries who are supporting refugees in camps, even as they face their own challenges. Photo information: A view of Bidi Bidi refugee camp in northern Uganda. Photo by Tommy Trenchard for Caritas Photo credit: Trocaire (Caritas Ireland)

Awaken us as a global community to respond generously and without tiring. May the Church become a stronger voice for justice and peace. Photo information: South Sudanese refugees attend a Sunday church service in Bidi Bidi refugee camp, Uganda. Photo by Tommy Trenchard for Caritas Photo credit: Tommy Trenchard Caritas Internationalis Network

Photo information: Okra seeds donated by Caritas lie in the tent of a south Sudanese refugee in Bidi Bidi camp, Uganda. Photo by Tommy Trenchard for Caritas Photo credit: Tommy Trenchard Caritas Internationalis Network Sustain the agencies like Caritas who are providing emergency supplies of food, water, medicine and shelter.

Photo credit: Caritas Internationalis Network Photo information: South Sudanese refugee Ruth brings water to her father, Justin, 30, outside the family’s new home in Bidi Bidi camp. In October Caritas distributed seeds and tools to Justin and others. With the money he made from selling his first crop of okra, Justine was able to buy new sandals for his children, along with some fish to add protein to their diet. Photo by Tommy Trenchard for Caritas Photo credit: Trocaire (Caritas Ireland) May we walk simply each day, without forgetting our brothers and sisters who are suffering.

Photo information: Emmanuel Tabu plays with a friend outside his hut in Bidi Bidi refugee camp i northern Uganda. In October Caritas distributed seeds and tools to his father, Malis Justin, and others. With the money he made from selling the Okra, Malis was able to buy new sandals for his children, along with some fish to add protein to their diet. Photo credit: Caritas Internationalis Network We pray that the children, women and men in East Africa soon experience the joy of peace, abundant harvest and nutrition again.

We ask all this through Jesus Christ our Lord. All: Amen Photo information: Emmanuel plays with a friend outside his hut in Bidi Bidi refugee camp in Northern Uganda. In October Caritas distributed seeds and tools to his father, Justin, and others. With the money he made from selling the okra he was able to grow, Justin was able to buy new sandals for his children, along with some fish to add protein to their diet. Photo credit: Trocaire (Caritas Ireland)

YOU CAN DONATE ONLINE TO THE ‘AFRICA EMERGENCY APPEAL’. Last updated March 2017