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| Somali Grandmother and child recovering at an aid camp in Ethiopia |
This past week, USAID asked Foundation Beyond Belief if it could help raise awareness within the non-theist community about the ongoing drought and famine that is occurring within the Horn of Africa. According to USAID this is the most severe drought in 60 yrs and the UN has made a formal declaration of famine for Southern Somalia, the only such declaration made in the past 20 years. In other words, what’s going on there is bad. Really really bad.
Why should you care? Well, if you read my blog it is either because you are a Humanist or Humanistically inclined. And that means that if you think of yourself as a compassionate and ethical person. And if you are, then you should understand that this is a situation that calls out for us to be compassionate. It is estimated that already over 10,000 people have died with another 11 million at risk of death by starvation. Many have fled to neighboring countries to find food.
I know what you are thinking. Sure I care, but what can I do? Well, you can put your compassion into action, as that is the hallmark of what it means to be a Humanist. We believe that we not only can do something to make a difference but that we have a moral responsibility to do so. In this case, you can donate some money to help with the relief effort.
USAID, as it is a government agency, does not accept donations directly from the public as they are funded by our tax dollars. Instead, donate to Foundation Beyond Belief to their crisis response page: http://foundationbeyondbelief.org/crisis They have chosen the International Rescue Committee, which is working in Somoalia
If you would like to make a direct donation you can choose from one of the charities doing relief work in the Horn of Africa. Here is a list: http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/interaction-members-respond-drought-crisis-horn-africa
Put your compassion into action and make a donation to Foundation Beyond Belief's Humanist Crisis Response. Whatever you can afford. You may just save a life and isn’t that worth it? And, double plus good, you will have shown USAID that the non-theist community is just as generous at responding to people in need as our religious counterparts are. So make your donation today!
