Friday, December 09, 2011

Remember the Horn of Africa on Human Rights Day

The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights
- Article 25
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond control.

The global community observers World Human Rights Day every year on December 10. For those of us in the anti-hunger and anti-poverty movement, Article 25 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights spells out very clearly a very basic right for all individuals around the world. This year, the Carmelite NGO, which advocates at the UN on a number of important issues (hunger, human rights, freedom of belief, education, women's issues), wants us to remember all the women, children and men affected by drought, political oppression and global indifference in the Horn of Africa. 

The Carmelite community has prepared a booklet with prayers, reflections and scripture verses that allow us to hold the people in this region in our hearts.  Here's a note from Carmelite Sister Jane Remson, director of Bread for the World New Orleans.
As we prepare for the coming of the Christ child let us remember the millions of hungry people, especially hungry children.  Attached is a Day of Prayer that calls our attention to Somalia and the countries of the Horn of Africa.  The current drought and political situation in the African country of Somalia has caused a massive migration of people. A crisis of hunger is showing no signs of improving.  I invite you to join with others from all around the world and pray for the least fortunate amongst us.
Download Booklet

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