Let's do our part

The the Editor:

We are witnessing a great catastrophe in the Horn of Africa. A massive drought in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya has destroyed the crops and livestock that more than 13 million people depend on for food. Ongoing conflict in Somalia has made it even worse. According to the UN, 750,000 people could starve.

This is the first famine of the 21st Century -- a deeply troubling milestone. I encourage your readers to contribute to humanitarian organizations, such as Church World Service, that are working to save lives in the Horn of Africa. I also urge our congressional representatives -- Representative Emerson, Senator McCaskill and Sen. Blunt -- to maintain funding for international agricultural assistance and other humanitarian aid in next year's federal budget.

With help, the people of this region can make famine a thing of the past. We must do our part.

Rev. Jeffery F.

Hammonds

Poplar Bluff, Mo.