By Mandefro Mekete, Emergency Operations Coordinator, CARE Ethiopia

Nothing illustrates this better than listening to the people affected by the drought. When asked about the impacts of the 2011 drought, many start recalling the interrelated chain of events over past years that have pushed them over the edge this year. The story of one man in West Hararghe last November is particulalry striking. Ashenafi, a 35 year-old farmer and father of eight children, explained to CARE how he progessively sold his productive assets over the years to cope with the drought or lean seasons. As result, he was backsliding each time a little bit more into the cycle of poverty.

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By Mandefro Mekete, Emergency Operations Coordinator, CARE Ethiopia

I clearly remember July 2011 when the world started to focus its attention on the food crisis in the Horn of Africa. At that time, more than 4.5 million people in Ethiopia were in need of food assistance and water shortages were putting millions at risk of waterborne diseases.

I remember July 2011 because by then it had been almost a year since I released a drought alert for the Horn of Africa to our key partners. In August 2010, la Niña, a meteorological phenomenon that usually provokes dry weather conditions, was forecasted. As an Ethiopian who grew up in the north-eastern part of Ethiopia and who has been affected by drought, I knew the potential consequences of such a forecast. (more…)

By Haoua Lankoandé, Advocacy Manager, MMD Project, CARE Niger

Niamey, Niger – For those of us in the city, we are seeing the first signs of food crisis spreading across our country. We have seen it before. It has already started, and it is coming fast.

People are leaving their village and moving to town. (Photo: CARE/ Brooks)

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by Jamshed Naseer Siddiqi, Security Officer, CARE Pakistan

They say the floods that hit Pakistan on 2010 were the worst ever floods since 1929. One would think nothing would compare to the pain and misery that met the eyes during the flood response in 2010. But it seems there is no limit for human misery. Eyes can open to observe more devastation, hearts can feel more pain, and souls can be shaken again. 29^th September 2011: I have never been one for remembering dates, but this date will be engraved in my mind for years to come.

Water is receding slowly, and families face another month or two of displacement before they can return to rebuild their homes. (Photo: CARE/Rauf)

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by Niki Clark in Dadaab

When I told my family and friends that I was leaving for six weeks to work with CARE on temporary assignment in Dadaab, the world’s largest refugee camp, I was immediately bombarded with Facebook messages, emails and calls along the lines of “I’m so proud of you. You’re going to save the world!” and “You’re making such a difference!

A newly arrived refugee child attemps to lift the family's new cooking utensils. (Photo: CARE/Clark)

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Dadaab, Blog #1,  August ^30th, 2011

Here I sit, 7,500 miles away from home. I’m a week in. Over the course of just a few days, my life has completely changed. On a Monday I reported to work at CARE’s Washington, D.C. office. By Thursday I was on a plane bound for Nairobi where my final destination would be Dadaab Refugee Camp, the world’s largest. I will spend the next six weeks here as CARE’s emergency media officer. It is a position that both thrills and terrifies me. As an employee of one of the most prominent global humanitarian agencies, there is always an excitement that surrounds “going to the field.” But this is different.

Niki Clark, who works in Policy Communications at CARE USA, is currently working in Dadaab, Kenya. (Photo: CARE/Wilke)

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by Thomas Schwarz

People are praying next to me. It is half past five in the evening. In this Islamic country the muezzin called on the people to do so. Prayer rugs are being spread on the ground. People are standing, kneeing, praying. I guess, they are also praying that there will not be another catastrophe in their country. This morning, around 7.30, the earth was shaking. It wasn’t alarming or disconcerting, only 6.1 on the Richter scale, lasting seven seconds. Still, it was quite frightening. “That would be the straw that would break the camel’s back”, people are saying who still remember the calamitous earthquake in 2005. Above all the entire country still has to cope with the aftermath of the flood last summer.

Six months after the flood the impacts are still fatal. (Photo: CARE/Gressmann)

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by Thomas Schwarz

I just wanted to give them a call to say goodbye. I always do that before I travel abroad, even if it is just for a few days. I call my parents, my siblings, and a few friends as well. A good friend of mine always lights a candle for me, so “that you return safe and sound”, as she says. She is always doing this, even when I travel in areas which are quite safe.

Last year, Zahid was really sick. Today he is laughing and playing again. (Photo: CARE/Schwarz)

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By Chandara Tith.

“Is this really my last week in Germany?” I almost can’t believe that time is flying so quickly.

I was given a chance to work in Berlin. To see the different view and culture, I absorb good things to get myself improved. (Photo: Chandara Tith)

Working with CARE, I realized now, has helped me to develop my personal life experience while living in a foreign country. Also, I improved my academic performance in an international working place setting.

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By Chandara Tith.

Today I am going to Berlin.

Me in Berlin. I spent a whole day on my bike, visiting as many places as possible. (Photo: tourist)

It was an awaited opportunity for me since I knew that I will go there. I went to the train station an hour earlier just to understand how the train system works. Luckily, it was not that complex as I expected. When I sat on the train and it started to move, my heart was beating fast. I was on board in a high-speed train for the first time in life!

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