June, 2008 - from a friend who is a global nutrition specialist in Washington, D.C.

June 9, 2008 - I oversee feeding programs for malnourished children in 25+ countries.  The past few weeks have been difficult as fuel prices continue to rise and we can get less food to our programs for the same $1.  Ethiopia has been especially challenging as of late because although they have made great strides the past few years a major drought compounded with fuel increase providing a balanced diet to their families has become challenging if not impossible.

Click on this link to view a BBC report about the crisis of drought and rising food costs in Ethiopia.  This is the reality of what is happening halfway across the world.  The clip is 4 minutes long and it is very graphic and difficult to watch, my friends.  I just watched this as I put my little Sophia to bed with her belly full (with chocolate still ‘round her mouth from dessert). - Sarah D-T

June 10, 2008 - The following report is also from our friend on staple food prices based on market prices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

 

   Food Item                        Food prices in 2007 (approx. one year ago)       Food prices in June 2008

   Oil                                    15 Birr per litre                                                         32 Birr per litre

   Sugar                                4.5 Birr per kg                                                          8 Birr per kg

   Lentils                              4 Birr per kg                                                             17 Birr per kg

Lentils have gone up 425% in one year.  This would be like your Starbucks Vende skinny, no whip, soy vanilla latte going from $4.50 to $19.12. Or your gallon of milk going from $3.50 per gallon to $14.88 per gallon.

 

The added trick is to try to balance your diet on an income of just over $100 per year!

I asked our friend how we can all best help - here is here response.  -Sarah D-T

June 13, 2008 - There are many dimensions of this food crisis and many opportunities to get involved.  My recommendation is to find an organization that you are comfortable giving to and do so.  The food crisis also affects many people here in the U.S. - maybe not to that extreme, but food prices are rising.  There are opportunities to give to food banks, etc. here to help your neighbor down the street.  I think the message should be to us is to help in whatever way we feel passionate about.  Many will be more comfortable giving to a local food bank than giving to a program that is working in Africa, Philippines or Haiti.  Remember also there are short-term needs and long-term needs.  There will need to be agriculture inputs, livelihood activities, mirco-lending for projects, advocacy around the causal factors of this crisis.  So there are many ways to get involved.  I always recommend following your heart and passion, do your research about anyone you give to and then

JUST DO IT!!

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