The accounts are not finalised, but we can say that CAFOD's Ethiopia Food Crisis Appeal to date has raised over £800,000, with more than 10,000 of you donating as individuals, parishes and school groups, across England and Wales. It's an inspiring response at a time when the European Football Championship and of course the EU Referendum in June, also demanded our attention.
Our Ethiopia Food Crisis Appeal, which launched at the beginning of June, is a testament to the unswerving compassion and generosity of the Catholic community across England and Wales. The heart of our appeal has been your generosity; not jaded because it's Ethiopia, drought, and another food crisis. Instead you sent out a powerful message of solidarity, dignity and humanity.
Messages of solidarity on social media
You interacted with us on our social media platforms. On CAFOD's Facebook page I was so heartened to read posts such as this from Angela: "Our parish is having a special collection this Sunday. Hope the situation improves quickly. And this from Robert: "Give generously, we just don't appreciate how lucky we are."
We've read about the amazing energy of CAFOD volunteers in the New Forest, organising a plant and cake sale, raising £2,500. What a magical effort from all. I was deeply touched to read the words of CAFOD volunteer Henry Rosevinge: "If every plant and cake we sell can help those affected by the terrifying drought, then every moment is worth it, for the parish, the volunteers and our little village community."
Your generosity has helped us reach families in need
You have allowed us to support the work of our local partners in getting food, seeds and clean water to vulnerable communities. Already 105,000 people have received seeds in time for the long awaited rains, which have started in earnest. But the rains do not mean we stop our work. It will be at least three months before communities will know whether they have a decent harvest or not. In the meantime, we need to make sure that families have access to the emergency aid they need to survive the coming months.
Underlying causes - El Niño and Climate Change
El Niño - a Pacific Ocean warming occurring every two to seven years - is said to be the cause of this current drought. Scientists believe they have been around for millennia, but that droughts and floods they trigger may be becoming more intense as a result of climate change.
Every day, we witness the effects of the changing climate on poor and vulnerable people around the world. Communities we work with are losing their crops due to erratic rainfall or warm temperatures, and families are struggling as water sources disappear. This makes communities more vulnerable to poor harvests and droughts, and has contributed to this food crisis.
In Pope Francis's Encyclical - Laudato Si', he speaks openly about the devastating effects of climate change on people and the planet. He says that climate change is real, urgent and it must be tackled. He also describes the climate as "a common good, belonging to all and meant for all".
Patricia Wall is CAFOD's Country Representative for Ethiopia.
Further information at: http://cafod.org.uk/News/Emergencies-news/Ethiopia-food-crisis-QA
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