Tragedy

Of the more than 11 million people who are suffering from severe drought in East Africa, over 1 million are very likely to die of starvation/dehydration in the next few weeks unless food and water reach them soon. Can you imagine the despair these desperate and afflicted people must feel?

We can decry this and go on with our lives as usual, or we can at least try to help alleviate suffering by contributing to a humanitarian effort for relief.

I have, like most decent people, been sorry for the suffering of the betrodden people of the world but self-justified my inactivity toward their relief by saying that my money contribution would probably go down-the-drain in corruption or be taken by thieves. One way or another relief would be diverted. Oh well.

I have come to believe that that is an unacceptable attitude. Do we not sing, “Because I have been given much, I too must give…?” We have and we must.

Even if the probability of graft continues to exist, my wife and I feel we must make a contribution and do it now. In addition to our usual monthly contribution to my Church for humanitarian assistance for worldwide need, we feel that further assistance now is an imperative.

The history of our Church reads that when Latter-day prophet Joseph Smith learned of a neighbor black man’s misfortune (I think the man’s house burned down) the prophet said, “I feel sorry for brother ______’s hardship to the extent of the $5 gold piece I have in my pocket. How sorry do you feel?”

Well, how sorry do we feel?

Contributions can go to the United Nations World Food fund or UNICEF, International Rescue, Catholic Relief Services, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints humanitarian effort, or other reputable agencies.

Do I feel that a massive aid response will resolve the Somalian drought or perpetual political instability or root causes of their poverty? No. But it will help some of the innocents live and it will show our maker that we appreciate our many blessings and are willing to share them with our less fortunate brothers and sisters who are in their extremity. Wouldn’t we want someone who had the means to come to our aid if we were in the same situation? You bet we would.