Fighting the server hunger crisis in Ethiopia, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation (BTCF) partnered with Kidmia Mahiber, to provide much-needed food packages to families in Ethiopia to alleviate hunger. The first distribution was conducted on 21 July 2022, to 1,000 families in Shewa Robit and Ataye, with each family receiving two blankets and 55kg worth of food package including flour, noodles, and cooking oil.
Working with the mayor’s office and Kidmia Mahiber, on 17-18 January 2023, a second distribution was launched to serve two refugee camps in Debre Birhan, sheltering over 20,000 individuals. Food packages worth 55kg were provided to 3,000 families with priority to elderly, physically disabled or singleparent households. The food packages contained flour and cooking oil to make injera, pancake bread or porridge and other easy recipes. On 15 February, another 28 families were given food packages to help assist them over come hunger.
Before BTCF and Kidmia Mahiber’s support, the refugee camps had an average of one mitad per 200 families, working from 3AM till 1PM non-stop. To ease the long queues, an additional 50 mitads were provided to ensure that the community was fed in a timelier manner. Additionally, a month’s worth of hot meals, tea and snacks was provided to 1,158 children. Recognizing the loss that many of the refugee children face, BTCF and Kidmia Mahiber were encouraged to see that the camp’s temporary classrooms provide psychosocial and mental health support, assisting children in their journey of healing from the trauma of losing their parents and homes. The path towards recovery is long and arduous, but BTCF and Kidmia Mahiber will continue to work to support the refugees’ and children’s journeys towards a brighter tomorrow.
The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation is a global non-profit humanitarian organization founded in 1966 by Buddhist nun Dharma Master Cheng Yen. Its missions of medicine, charity, education, and humanistic culture have brought relief to 128 countries. The heart of Tzu Chi is embedded in its name: in Chinese, “Tzu” means compassion and “Chi” relief, to relieve the suffering of those in need while creating a better world for all through compassion, love and hope. For more information, visit tzuchi.us. For additional information and media inquiries, please write to Sandy Lu, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, sandz0811@tzuchi.org.tw .
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