What's happening in East Africa

The combined impact of a three-year drought, massive livestock loss, conflict, and inflation continues to cause devastation. Millions of people don’t have enough food, yet global attention is focused on Ukraine and the Middle East. Recent USAID funding cuts also mean less international assistance is available. Tearfund’s partner Terepeza Development Association (TDA) is responding to this forgotten crisis in the Moyale District of southern Ethiopia. Together with generous Kiwis, they’re distributing life-saving food and helping families rebuild their livelihoods. TDA is currently the only humanitarian agency responding in this area. If they don’t provide this food and livelihood support, no-one else will.

The areas in dark blue represent communities where TDA has been responding to the hunger crisis. 70% of those they have served no longer need any aid. 

Tadhit’s story

Tadhit lives with her husband, children, and extended family in one of the villages where TDA recently expanded. She explains what this means for her family:

"Before the drought, we relied mainly on our livestock and small-scale farming. But when the drought hit, we lost everything. My husband fell ill and my children had to stop going to school. We received no support from the government or any other organisation. Life became so difficult and I was losing hope.

Then TDA came. At the first food distribution, I received 75kg of maize, 7.5kg of haricot beans, and 3ls of oil, which was an immediate help. Before that, we only ate once a day. Now, my children eat three meals a day, and I’m no longer living in constant desperation and worrying about how I’ll feed my family."
 

More information about our partner and response

What makes Tearfund different is our partnership with local communities. We believe communities know the issues they face better than anyone. That’s why we've partnered with Terepeza Development Association (TDA), a remarkable local Ethiopian organisation that has been active in the country for 30 years. Meet Bereket, TDA”s Executive Director, in this video.

As the community development arm of Wolaita Kale Heywet Church in Ethiopia, they’re doing all they can to be God’s hands and feet, helping the most vulnerable people survive the current hunger crisis. Their response has been extremely effective.

In 2024 and 2025, TDA provided life-saving food assistance to 9,000 of the most vulnerable people in southern Ethiopia. Some of these families told Tearfund staff that this support literally saved their lives.

TDA also have a successful history of working with communities across Ethiopia to develop sustainable farming and agricultural programmes. This work has included training in how to increase crop yields in low rainfall areas, the establishment of Self-Help Groups, and the provision of supplies to get started. Our Tearfund staff have heard testimonies about how these programmes have increased household income, empowered women and resulted in more children being able to go to school. Again, this highlights the expertise of TDA and the long-term impact we can have together.

Pray with us

Heavenly Father, 

We lift up East Africa to you and ask for your provision for those who are impacted by the severe hunger crisis.

Grant rain for agriculture, sustaining livelihoods and food security, and strengthen those providing emergency food assistance. 

Protect our partner and others distributing aid across the country and empower communities into the future.

May your love inspire compassion as together as we seek to serve our brothers and sisters in their time of need.  

Amen.