With concern for suffering of people in Somalia and other African nations in the grip of "the drought of the century," the First Presidency has authorized the use of humanitarian relief funds and supplies to be sent to the continent.

Compounding the problems brought by the drought, recorded as the worst in 100 years, is civil war in Somalia. Searching for food and water in the drought and peace from war, tens of thousands of Somalians are fleeing across the border into Kenya. Officials monitoring the situation reported that as of last January, about 35,000 refugees had moved across the border; that number now has swollen to about half a million. Authorities predict if the situations of the drought and war continue more than 1 million Somalian refugees will be in Kenya by the end of the year.Most relief agencies trying to help the refugees are working along the Somalian border in Kenya since the risks of working in Somalia are considered too high.

In an initial response to help alleviate suffering, the Church has shipped 1 million pounds of food and other items to Africa. Food already shipped through Church humanitarian relief funds will sustain 13,000 young children for up to three months each, and will give supplemental nourishment to lactating mothers and pregnant women.

The monetary value of the initial LDS contributions in the current crisis in Africa is approaching $1 million. In addition to food, clothing and materials for shelter in refugee camps, funds also have been designated for selected development activities, primarily for water sources and small-scale agriculture. A large portion of the current Church aid is going to the Somalian refugee problem.

"The drought is seriously life threatening, particularly in Somalia, eastern Kenya, Mozambique and Zimbabwe," related Isaac "Ike" Ferguson, director of Church Humanitarian Services, who returned recently from Africa where he visited feeding stations and met with representatives of agencies through which the Church is making contributions.

"We're working through three agencies that are already established and functioning," he explained. "Two are in the southern region of Africa: Save the Children USA and the National Council of Negro Women, which is based in the United States. Both these agencies are working with drought victims in Zimbabwe and with Mozambican refugees. Save the Children USA is also set up and providing relief assistance in war-torn Mozambique. They concentrate their assistance on malnourished children up to age 5 and their mothers.

"The third agency through which we're working is Interaid International, a seasoned, professional private non-profit organization that has, for the past 11 years, been providing supplemental and therapeutic feeding in the Sudan. In the past several years, Interaid International has moved into northern Kenya and has been helping refugees who have come there from the Sudan, Ethiopia and, most recently, Somalia.

"We know our contributions are going to the right people for at least three reasons: 1. We've identified specific, relatively small but proven agencies whose staffs we have personally spent time with. We know the people with whom we're working. 2. All of the Church food products are processed and packaged for immediate use, which reduces waste and the likelihood of the goods ending up being sold by profiteers. 3. The food and other items we send are placed in sealed containers and consigned to the specific agencies and their representatives.

"We're providing dry milk, wheat flour, beans and corn meal. We're making sure these children and their mothers are getting a full daily protein ration. Hardly any agency is providing milk in those places. But the Church has a milk processing facility, and we have the capability to provide dry milk."

In addition to food items, the Church has shipped or is shipping clothing and soap products. Agricultural kits containing such basics as seeds and simple tools are also being made available through the Church from local African sources. The Church also has allocated some cash donations to help purchase a vehicle and necessary equipment and/or supplies for water and agricultural development.

"It's a huge, almost a limitless problem," Brother Ferguson said of providing relief to starving people. "You go into a refugee camp with 30,000 to 60,000 people who are totally at the mercy of outsiders and you see a yearning look about them in their eyes. A mother or a father will take you by the hand, walk you to their hut, and have you kneel down at the door. Inside is a child who is lying there, wasting away.

"Without saying a word to you, they convey the message, `Isn't there something you can do?' Anyone who is half way in touch with goodness is just kind of torn up inside. You have a helpless feeling."

But there is a more rewarding experience. "I see these feeding centers where several hundred children are literally being brought back to life in a matter of a few weeks," Brother Ferguson said. "There's a sense of accomplishment and optimism, that maybe there is a chance for these kids."

Employees in the Welfare Services Department said they receive telephone calls and letters from members who ask how they might help with relief efforts in Somalia. They are referred to a December 1991 letter in which the First Presidency commented on members' desires to contribute to funds helping people in dire need throughout the world. The First Presidency stated:

"We feel moved by such compassion and wish to provide an avenue through which this can be done. Therefore, those desiring to assist can write Humanitarian Service on the Other line of the standard donation slip, enter the desired amount, and give the slip and their contribution to their bishop or branch president who will immediately forward it to the Church. They may also elect to send such contributions directly to Humanitarian Service at Church headquarters.' "

- Gerry Avant