Horn of Africa Crisis: Putting Compassion Into Action in Africa
By Administrator
Foundation Beyond Belief’s current focus for our new Humanist Crisis Response Program is the devastating drought and famine in the Horn of Africa. Humanist bloggers, like Jen Hancock, are sharing their reasons for getting involved.
Putting Compassion Into Action in Africa
by Jen Hancock
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 years, 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.