A devastating food shortage and deadly malaria outbreak have left families in Ethiopia in urgent need of assistance. Thanks to your compassion and generosity, Roots Ethiopia has been able to provide life-saving support to families affected by this crisis. Over the past 10 days, our dedicated community of donors has made it possible to deliver essential food supplies and vital public health information to families in need.

The situation on the ground is dire. Excessive rain, crop ruin, hunger, and malaria are threatening lives. The thought of families, especially children, suffering from preventable and treatable illnesses while also facing the pain of hunger is truly heart breaking.

Emergency Response Plan

Thanks to you, our small, nimble, compassionate, and capable team has been able to respond swiftly and with great care for affected families.

Here is what you have made possible:

• Distribute life-saving food with 100 kg of high-quality corn, to over 700 families, ensuring they have the nourishment they need to stay strong
• Provide cash support of 3,000 Birr ($25USD) per family, helping them take care of urgent needs including medical care
• Facilitate health education sessions, where local health officers share vital information on malaria prevention and treatment with communities

Some smiling children and families who have been been helped

Your Support is a Lifeline

Right now humanitarian aid has reached 6 locations, including communities in Hadiya Zone, Wolayta Zone, and Kembata Zone. The team has encountered desperation everywhere. The power of family, community, and love has been powerful in every place your gifts of food and comfort have been shared.

Dr. Mohammed, Roots Ethiopia Country Director, wrote the following as part of his early reporting to the Roots Ethiopia Board of Directors:

According to the Rapid Response Technical Task Force of the government, the malaria infection rate is highly escalating in South-Central Ethiopia’s and the South Ethiopia regional states. Among the hardest hit Roots Ethiopia project intervention areas are Usmanecho, Shone, and Shamo Boyo in Hadya Zone; Areka in Wolaita Zone; and Hadero Tunto Zurea – Ajora kebele in the Kembata Zone.

The situation is so serious that in one small village the death of 4 people has been confirmed in one week’s time. Much more than 250 households are now in need of food and medication support in this small kebele.

There are many helpers ready to transport 100kg bags of grain to family homes!

The delivery of food is essential for family strength and survival. And, by working closely with local health officers, we’ve been able to share crucial guidance on malaria prevention and treatment. Families now have the knowledge and resources they need to stay healthy during this challenging time.

Your unwavering support is a testament to the power of compassion in action, and a reminder that together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of families facing unimaginable hardship. Your support is helping Ethiopian families weather this storm and build the resilience they need to overcome future challenges. Your compassion and generosity have never been more clear.

While we have made significant progress in providing critical assistance to families in need, there is still much work to be done. As we continue to navigate this crisis and its aftermath, your ongoing support will be crucial in helping us build a foundation for long-term resilience.