Another Look at Hunger:
What Faithfulness Requires of Us
by Hunter Farrell

In 1984 and 1985, horrendous images of famine-struck Ethiopia were beamed into living room televisions around the world. Thousands of starving children, their bellies distended by famine, stared blankly into the eyes of the public. A BBC news crew called the situation “the closest thing to hell on earth” they had ever witnessed.1 Eight
million Ethiopians were in danger of starvation and more than one million people died due to the lack of food.2 Individuals and governments around the world responded to fundraising efforts, such as the “Live Aid” concert. More than $100 million was raised for direct famine relief.
But after the famine was over, disturbing facts surfaced. Throughout the famine, there was more than enough food in Ethiopia to feed all of the country’s people, despite the ongoing civil war. But a corrupt, communist regime refused to allow desperately needed food aid to reach the rebellious Tigray, Eritrea and Wollo regions. The government also manipulated the media and international aid organizations in an effort to punish dissent, channel donated food to feed its own army and hide the real causes of the famine. The end result was precisely the opposite of what most well-intentioned donors had hoped for.

Find out how Presbyterians and other people of faith are fighting hunger through one of its root causes — poverty. Learn about the just trade and partnership that give workers a living wage and a way out of poerty and hunger.

Hunter Farrell is director of world mission for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Photo by Carrie Hawthorne/Partners for Just Trade.

Notes:
1. “The BBC’s Michael Buerk in Ethiopia, 23 October 1984” (British Broadcasting Corporation, 1984) 5 min., 18 sec.; Real Video, http:// news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/703958. stm (accessed September 25, 2008).

2. Kate Milner.“Flashback 1984: Portrait of a Famine,” BBC News, April 6, 2000, http://news.bbc. co.uk/2/hi/africa/703958.stm; accessed September 25, 2008.

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