More than 80 per cent of Ethiopia’s population depend on rain-fed agriculture for their livelihood.
For Huka Jilo Kilo (above) climate change is a real and ever-present threat. With increasingly erratic rainfall and extended periods of drought, recent years have seen the 70-year-old cattle herder forced to spend increasing amounts on supplementary food to keep his animals alive.
But this was income he would normally have spent to nourish his family.
Since Mercy Corps came to his village, Huka has learned how to safely store maize and grasses during the rainy season so he can feed his cattle during droughts.
READ MORE: Help Mercy Corps tackle the effects of climate change, flood, drought and the dreaded dzud
He now has access to veterinary pharmacists who can treat his livestock if any get sick.
With a larger and healthier herd the painful choice between feeding his cattle or his family comes less often for him and other villagers.
Meanwhile, with a healthier herd he can bank on better quality milk and meat, so his children are better nourished. With surplus milk to sell at market, the entire family is better off, in better health and better equipped for the impact of harmful weather patterns.
Please consider donating to the Herald’s Christmas Charity Appeal on behalf of the work of Mercy Corps in Syria, Jordan and many other crisis hit areas of the world. See below for details of how to get involved.
You can join in supporting Mercy Corps Europe through this year's Herald Christmas Appeal, online, by text or by sending a cheque.
How to donate:
ONLINE: www.mercycorps.org.uk/herald
PHONE: 08000 413 060 (24hours) or 0131 662 5161 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)
TEXT: To give £10 text DONATE HERALD to 70755
Texts will be charged at the standard network rate plus the £10 donation. By texting you will receive a call back about our work and what you can do to help. Text DONATE HERALD NO to donate £10 and opt out of calls and texts.
BY POST: Please fill in this form Herald Seasonal Appeal Form.pdf and post to: FREEPOST RSAE-ZBYA-LRZH, Mercy Corps, 40 Sciennes, Edinburgh, EH9 1NJ
You can also follow and support Mercy Corps Europe on social media.
Twitter: @mercycorps_uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercycorpsuk/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mercycorps_europe/
Visit www.mercycorps.org.uk/u/text-giving to read full Terms & Conditions.
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