Following a prolonged drought with no end in sight, over 15,000 Somalians from the area of Galgadud have abandoned their homes and moved to a camp for displaced persons in hopes of finding water and aid. According to the local district commissioner, Ali Sheikh Mahamud, people continue to depart, looking for relief from their dire conditions. Climate change and deforestation have brought more intense droughts to the region, and this year the rains that usually come in September failed to appear.

We pray that the graceful people of Somalia may soon be blessed with life-giving rains. May we all act in solidarity to bring relief to this global situation by adopting such quick and effective means as the plant-based diet.

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx．ReportId=8046111, http://allafrica.com/stories/200809180894.html, http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jan2006/2006-01-16-02.asp