Church sends wheat to Africa for famine relief
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Church shipments of wheat to help those threatened with starvation in
Ethiopia and Eritrea began arriving in the drought-stricken nations June 9
— among the first relief supplies to reach the area after an appeal
from the United Nations.
Members from five stakes in England were involved in the massive service project, preparing shipments of wheat for the African nations.
Church response to the mounting crisis was prompted by reports from the U.N. World Food Program that 7.7 million people in Ethiopia alone were affected by the food shortage. Some speculate that unless food and medical supplies are received, the famine could be as deadly as the 1984-85 disaster that cost nearly one million lives.
"When so many lives are threatened, we felt we had to respond in a significant way," said Presiding Bishop H. David Burton. "Our humanitarian service field assessment team traveled to east Africa and reported that there is an immediate need for food to avert a severe famine."
Currently, the Church is sending more than 4,000 tons of wheat to Ethiopia and Eritrea, half of which have already been shipped. Most of the wheat came from the Church-owned farm in Cambridge, England, where members worked June 12 to bag the wheat.
Members in England want to make a contribution, not just in money but in helping other people, said Clive R. Jolliffe, president of the Northampton England Stake. He added that members are excited and grateful for the service opportunity and hope to help with future humanitarian efforts.
Garry Flake, director of LDS Humanitarian Service, said government officials, as well as leaders in the United Nations, have expressed gratitude for the Church's assistance. The timeliness of the gift is appreciated, he added.
The wheat will be distributed by the Red Cross, with the assistance of two Church humanitarian service missionary couples.
E-mail: sarah@desnews.com
