The Afar Region is one of the least developed regions in Ethiopia that has been highly exposed to frequent droughts, floods, disease outbreaks, food insecurity, these challenges are macro in scale, usually causing disturbances to pastoralist lifestyle and systemic poverty. There are natural and intentional challenges. Natural challenges include persistent drought, desert infestation, flood and reoccurring famines. Now, the threat of COVID-19 has become an additional challenge for the pastoralist community. Currently more than 8 coronavirus cases identified in the Afar region and recently the desert locust swarms spreading in Afar region have continued ruining crops and threatening food security of the region destructively.
Due to all those challenges towns are filled up with people left the village and drug addiction becomes part of the new reality (e.g. “Khat”). These challenges lie well beyond the capacity or control of pastoralist. It is true that the current crisis is somewhat destabilizing, yet we trust that we will get out of it stronger. Thanks to Bread for the World for playing a key role supporting FSA in its vision to bring out people from poverty and building resilience among pastoralists.
We are the ones who are swimming and it’s God who saves our lives!
In the Tiritira village the FSA team shared a message on the Coronavirus and how it is spread, utilizing reserved funding from Bread for the World. There was an open discussion between FSA staff and some of the community members.
Mr. Ali Damule strongly opposed our team on the existence of the Coronavirus. He boldly said to our team, ‘’We have God and He has always protected us so there is no need for your message. Do you think God needs our help to protect us? You don’t believe in God’s sovereignty? We believe in Him. He will never allow anything like this to happen to us. How can we stop a virus just by washing our hands? It doesn’t make sense at all. You also say to keep our distance from our best friends. It’s unbelievable! Let me tell you this fact is a curse sent by God to punish those who are living a sinful life. Another truth I can share with you is the Coronavirus cannot survive in the hot climate”
Now, our team got an opportunity to deal with this misinformation in great depth. Our team started the conversation, without attacking Mr. Ali in a way that conflicted with his worldview. The FSA’s comparative advantage is this: knowing and understanding the Afar culture and beliefs, and having a strong community bond with them. It seems that is a gateway that enables us to help the community to recognize the importance of the issues and identify their problems.
Our team quoted one well-known Afar proverb to win the argument, “We are the ones who are swimming and it’s God who saves our lives!” They asked Mr. Ali how he understood this wonderful Afar proverb. What if someone jumps in the Awash River if he doesn’t know how to swim? Do you think he will live? Not at all, that doesn’t mean God, didn’t try to save him, but that the person did not do his part. We are saying exactly the same thing. Let’s do our part and God will do the rest.”
Mr. Ali shook his head and smiled, and at the same time he wanted to shake the hand of one of our staff just to show his respect, but our staff gently refused handshaking and explained to him this is also one of the things that are forbidden to do during this time. Mr. Ali apologized and joined our team everywhere they went to share the message with them. It was fun to see the same man wearing a face mask and helping with distribution of sanitary material and sharing his testimony with his community.
Thank you for your kindness. Your generosity and support are an encouraging reminder of God’s divine intervention!
By Guert Ahmed-
Founder and Executive Director