East Africa: focusing on livestock is keeping children alive

20 July 2011

Drought-starved cow carcasses and the burnt remains of cattle lie around villages in south Ethiopia. East Africans’ nomadic lifestyle prevents them from growing crops; the livestock they own are their only assets.

The carcasses are a potent symbol, as Rikke Holm of DanChurchAid reports by text message:

‘The old men tell us that they collect the dead animals near the village and burn them to avoid diseases. One of the old men adds ironically “In a month or so you can collect us.” ’

A young boy herds emaciated cattle through bone-dry land in Miyo district, south Ethiopia, in the search for better land.

ACT/DCA/Fikerte Abebe

One solution proposed by Y Care International partners is to buy cattle from struggling farmers before the livestock become too emaciated to have any market value, and to slaughter them. Local organisations would then distribute the meat to the most vulnerable people in the community and the farmers would use the proceeds from the sale to restock when the drought ends.

Donations from Y Care International supporters are also contributing to livestock restocking, rehabilitation of pastures, growing of animal feed and provision of seed and fertilisers to ensure the stability of future herds – and a more sustainable livelihood for Ethiopians.

Please give whatever you can to keep farmers and their families alive.