By Roy Winter
Brethren Disaster Ministries is monitoring the deadly earthquake that struck in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, June 22. Currently, rescue efforts are still underway, with more than 1,000 deaths reported and many more people injured or missing. Since the country was taken over by the Taliban, many of Brethren Disaster Ministries’ typical partner organizations are not able to respond. Staff will continue to monitor the situation to identify a potential response, including identifying possible potential partners.
Staff are monitoring an expanding crisis in the horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya) where an extreme drought, soaring food prices, and high fuel costs are adding to a massive humanitarian crisis. The United Nations reports 29.7 million people are going hungry and the number keeps increasing. This crisis is made more difficult as humanitarian aid is limited due to the war in Ukraine and other crises. Many countries in Africa rely on wheat imports from Ukraine, adding to the challenges.
Food crises also are developing at an alarming rate in western Africa and much of the Sahel region. The need is becoming so widespread that developing a response plan has been more difficult. Staff will continue to monitor these situations and develop a response in the near future.
— Roy Winter is executive director of Service Ministries for the Church of the Brethren. Find out more about Brethren Disaster Ministries at www.brethren.org/bdm. Give to the work of Brethren Disaster Ministries through the Emergency Disaster Fund at www.brethren.org/edf.
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