Two failed rainy seasons followed by catastrophic flooding have destroyed crops in large parts of Ethiopia.
Like Joseph, the Ethiopian government had stored grain during the good years, but it was not enough.
Up to 10 million people are in danger of starvation. The crops have failed almost entirely and millions of cattle and other livestock have perished.
Zimbabwe
This is in the context of growing persecution. Over 2,000 church buildings were burnt or demolished and over 5,000 Christians wounded or killed by Islamic extremists in the last eight years.
Zimbabwe is also suffering the worst drought in living memory. Four-fifths of Zimbabweans live on the food they grow themselves. Many have suffered complete crop failure, leaving them destitute and over 4 million people are in critical danger of starvation. Many families are reduced to one meal a day, sometimes less. Unable to get jobs, hardly anyone has money to buy food.
It costs just £15 a month to provide a family with sorghum and oil for a month and £10 will help feed a family of five for a month with mealie meal, an African staple made from ground maize. Donations can be made through the Barnabas Fund.
