2. www.cafod.org.uk For Parishes and Young People

3. What is happening? 10 million people are facing a devastating drought in East Africa. The UN say that it is the most severe drought in some areas for 60 years.

4. Why is it happening? Very poor rains have led to crop failure, serious food and water shortages and the deaths of thousands of animals in Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan.

5. The journey for water “It now takes ten hours to get to the nearest water point......the water is not enough even for the families and calves at home.” Halaka, Ethiopia

6. The struggle to make a living Thousands of animals have died because of the water shortages, and farmers are struggling to make a living as their livestock die.

7. Missing school to find food Some parents have been taking their children out of school in search of farmland and pasture.

8. An ongoing crisis Director of Caritas Australia, Jack de Groot, says that emergency aid is only part of the story: “This is a story of partnership over the long term; it is a story of how we are assisting Africans to find lasting solutions to the challenges facing their communities.”

9. How is Caritas helping? The international Caritas network is providing food stations for children and pregnant women to help treat malnutrition.

10. “Now we have clean water” We are providing jerry cans and water purification systems so that people have clean water to drink.

11. Veterinary programs We are setting up veterinary programs to keep cattle healthy so that families can maintain their livelihoods.

12. What can I do? We have launched an emergency appeal to help people who are affected by the drought.

13. Let us pray God of all courage, help us to walk alongside our sisters and brothers in East Africa as they struggle to feed their families during this time of drought. We know you hear the cry of the poor and call on us to live out your desire for justice. May we, through prayer and action, show your love for the people of East Africa as we share our bread with the hungry. In Jesus’ name who shared bread with the hungry and gave hope to those in despair. Amen.

14. Picture credits: CAFOD Caritas Internationalis Debbie Devoe/CRS Map - Icfdonate.net Prayer - CAFOD/Pat Pierce