Church brings world's attention to Horn of Africa crisis

On Friday a press conference was held at the Holy See Press Office to launch a major initiative by the Pontifical Charity Cor Unum and a number of Christian relief agencies to help resolve the grave humanitarian crisis facing the Horn Of Africa.

It’s a race against time to help the estimated 13 million people in the Horn of Africa who are in dire need of emergency assistance.

In Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia and surrounding countries a major drought, conflict, and political instability has led to millions of people going hungry.

On Friday, following a meeting with Christian charities on the situation, the President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, Cardinal Robert Sarah, presided over a press conference at the Holy See Press Office, where he reiterated the Holy Father’s appeal for the international community to continue its commitment to helping those who are suffering.

As well representation from Cor Unum, the Pope’s personal charity, the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams sent a message of support to Friday’s meeting, “saying, it is an agonising indictment on the world to find ourselves once again staring into the face of famine”. The gathering was also attended by representative of the Archbishop.

One of the relief organisation’s which is present in many of the countries affected is Catholic Relief Services, a member of the Caritas network.

Speaking at Friday’s press conference, its’ Executive Director, Ken Hackett said they were expanding their programs to help deal with the crisis.
"In an immediate response to to the people living in the Horn...we as a community ...has committed ourselves to expand both our short term programs, those immediate interventions and our long term commitment."

Another participant was the Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu in Somalia, Bishop Giorgio Bertin who said, major political instability in that country has played an enormous part in the tragedy that is unfolding.
"If the situation is in such dramatic proportions in Central Southern Somalia, it is because during these last twenty years there have been perpetual conflicts and the absence of a real central authority."

Already, the Pope through Cor Unum has donated 400 thousand US dollars to the crisis and church collections have been taken up in countries such as Italy, Ireland and Germany. The Catholic Church is hoping, through generous support, that they can raise at least 60 million euro in order to give the people in the Horn of Africa a better tomorrow. Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report here