By News Group (Originally in English)
Years of political instability and internal conflicts compounded by severe drought has caused more than 20 million people across Africa and nearby Yemen to face famine and starvation in 2017. Among the worst hit African countries are Somalia, South Sudan and northeastern Nigeria. United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien described the crisis as the largest one since 1945, and called for a collaborative and global effort to raise US$4.4 billion to avert the pending catastrophe in these countries.
The international community has thankfully responded to the appeal. The United Kingdom government has pledged to match public donations pound for pound for up to GBP 5 million. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of England made a personal donation. Turkish President His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan launched a campaign to help Yemen and Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Somalia in East Africa. Many celebrities also appealed to the public to raise awareness and ask for aid.
On March 13, 2017, Supreme Master Ching Hai contributed US$13,500 to the Red Cross Society of The Republic of China (Taiwan) to assist their famine relief work in Africa through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). We pray for God’s grace and protection for the countries suffering from famine. May all humans turn to a compassionate way of living, and may peace, love and abundance manifest soon in these lands.