CARE gives poor families in the developing world a working chance, focusing on effective programs that offer people a hand-up to a better life and the security of knowing that their next meal can be counted upon. By delivering relief during emergencies, CARE helps people survive. One vivid example of an emergency response was this summer's situation in the Horn of Africa, where three years of drought brought nearly 15 million people to the brink of starvation. In extremely dry Ethiopia, most farmers use traditional planting methods and do not have the resources to pipe water to their land. When rains do not come, people cannot grow crops to feed themselves.
Pastures dry up, leaving nothing for animals to eat, and they die.
An early warning system began signaling the seriousness of the food shortage last November. CARE responded with food aid but also worked with Ethiopian communities to secure access to water and help farmers plant drought-resistant crops. This longer-term work continues today. Most of all, we need to continue to develop preventative measures against famine and starvation. In response, CARE distributed food to more than 1 million people in Ethiopia.