I have been thinking about the drought in the Eastern and Southern part of Ethiopia. My thoughts were mainly about what it all means to someone living in Addis Ababa. We’re living in the same country but we are far apart from what’s happening in that region in both information and connection. It feels that coverage of the drought on the radio, television or newspapers is fading and this whole thing is becoming a blur in our minds. And as they say, out of sight out of mind.
One of my earliest memories of seeing pictures of drought in Ethiopia was during the Derg regime, on Ethiopian Television, and the show was not only showing videos of the people struck by famine it was also making a commentary about how Emperor Haileselassie had thrown a party during a time where so many were suffering. Fast forward to today’s reality and I can’t help but wonder what the future generation will say about us when they revisit this period of time in Ethiopia’s history.
Let’s be honest, other than the occasional Red Cross donation plea texts, not much reminds us of the drought. We live, party, celebrate and enjoy life like one tenth of our country’s population is not suffering because of drought. The reality is difficult to grapple with, we do not have to go as far as drought struck areas to find poverty, we just have to stroll around the city and it will stare us right in the face.
So how does one cope with seeing such poverty and such wealth all at the same time? Do we have any responsibility in making things better, or can we simply wash our hands clean from any responsibility? Is it simply the government’s role to “fix” the problem? I honestly don’t know if there is a correct answer to these questions. I do not believe in depriving oneself because of guilt, but deep down something tells me that I have a certain responsibility; I can and have to do something.
The toughest challenge for me is weddings, especially now that it is the wedding season. So much money goes into a one-day celebration, money that is earned or borrowed. Money that can build houses and do so much more than filling wedding buffets and bars to the fullest. These weddings are filled with so much abundance everywhere. Yet one tenth of us are dire need of food. On the one hand, I absolutely understand the significance of that one-day for many people and share their happiness, on the other hand I feel a weird blend of anger, disgust and sadness. How does one grapple with this reality?
Love and life in times of drought are complicated, even if we’re not the ones directly impacted by it. What should we do? That’s very difficult because “should” implies fulfilling expectations of what one would do in an “ideal” world. And this world is nowhere near ideal. I would rather focus on what we can do. I think it’s easier to stick to that, it’s more in tune with how life really is. Whether it’s a one-time thing or a regular one, do it. Give money, send supplies, support an organization or a person working to affect change in those regions, volunteer reply to that Red Cross text. Whatever it is, do it. The truth is, whatever either one of us will do will not be enough, there will always be one more thing. But as we spend our day chasing our dream, let’s give back without breaking the bank or changing our routine, it’s not too much to ask, is it?
