For many countries around the world in which the backbone of the economy is subsistence farming and agriculture, an event like a drought does not simply create a delay in yielding a certain harvest. It can have widespread impact and rippling effects throughout the country, including the cost and accessibility of food, the survival of livestock, and can even result in a crisis in survival for many individuals living in extreme poverty. In Uganda, the aftermath of the prolonged drought that has lasted for months is being felt in several of the communities where Chlidren’s HopeChest works, specifically in the Teso region in the eastern part of the country.
According to a report provided by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, which is a set of tools that provides data on the realities of food insecurity, Uganda produced lower rainfall than previous years, and over 1.6 million people are facing a crisis of food insecurity. Not only has there been a decrease in the amount of rainfall, but the costs of food and seed have doubled since December. Many households have not been able to cultivate due to a lack of seed, despite available land. An added burden is the Fall Armyworm, a caterpillar that has devoured most recent crops that have been planted, particularly maize and sorghum, causing many to lose their harvests.
As a development organization focused on community empowerment, Children’s HopeChest is uniquely positioned to respond to the effects of the drought in a way that has long-term impact. Steve Corbett, author of When Helping Hurts, discusses the difference between relief, rehabilitation, and development. He describes rehabilitation as the process of helping facilitate recovery from circumstances that were beyond an individual’s or community’s control.
You have the opportunity to join Children’s HopeChest in providing much-needed food and seeds for the future for hundreds of children and their families, so as to recover from the drought and be equipped to plant and yield harvests in the next season.
So why join Children’s HopeChest in these efforts to come alongside the communities we serve in Uganda?
- We lean on our indigenous field staff’s expertise and knowledge to lead us in any relief and rehabilitation efforts.
- We are uniquely positioned to provide both relief in the form of food and rehabilitation in the form of seeds to community members most affected by the drought and resulting food crisis.
- We specialize in community empowerment and always partner with local community members, who are experts of their own communities, in providing any assistance.
We ask you to please consider being a part of a sustainable solution to an unforeseen challenge for families and communities in the Teso region of Eastern Uganda. And if you are unable to donate at this time, please continue praying for our Ugandan brothers and sisters – that our God will strengthen them and provide in meeting for their needs.
If you would like to donate, you can do so here.
