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Predictions of famine are making Salvation Army leaders in Africa increasingly concerned for needy families in the region. Food shortages are already being experienced in many places and weather forecasters are predicting continuing drought in some areas and worsening flooding in others. Either situation is likely to lead to famine and the potential for loss of life.
Kenya has been experiencing a drought for some time and meteorologists are predicting that the seasonal rains hoped for in March will not be enough to counter the damage caused by two consecutive failed rainy seasons.
In Malawi and Mozambique the situation is reversed. Floodwaters have destroyed tens of thousands of acres of recently planted crops and made the delivery of relief rations difficult. Families have been displaced and there is an increasing lack of food and clean drinking water. In Malawi The Salvation Army has been using local funding to provide limited food distributions to some of the neediest families. Even though this has been helpful, the growing need is threatening to overwhelm limited local resources.
Salvation Army leaders in Africa have opened discussions with groups such as the United Nation’s World Food Program in order to secure food but fears continue to grow that—if predictions come true—more help will be needed. The international Salvation Army will continue to monitor the situation and requests prayers for the people of Africa.
Donations to the Africa Disaster Fund can be made online at https://www.salvationarmy.org.
—From an International Headquarters news release