More than 11 million people are in need of aid in the Horn of Africa, a region beset by the worst drought in 50 years. In recent weeks alone, tens of thousands of people, many of them children, have died.
To help create famine awareness, the World Food Programme, the food aid branch of the United Nations, had launched a new social media initiative, We Feed Back, that aims to increase awareness about the fight against chronic hunger affecting families worldwide.
To advance its mission, WFP reached out to world-renowned reggae band, The Wailers and reggae vocalist Duane Stephenson to record a new anthem: A Step for Mankind.
For Stephenson it was an opportunity to lend a hand and help people worldwide.
Quotes
"I don't think many of us get an opportunity to you know expand ourselves or just to lend a hand." -Duane Stephenson, reggae artist.
"When you get the chance to help people worldwide...I pretty much jumped to the opportunity." -Duane Stephenson, reggae artist.
Warm Up Questions
1. What is famine?
2. What factors can contribute to famine?
3. Name the countries that make up the Horn of Africa.
Discussion Questions
1. What makes a specific region more vulnerable to famine than others? What factors contribute to a famine, generally and in the situation outlined in the story?
2. What are some ways to help prevent famine? What could you and your classmates do to help?
3. What is an anthem? What is the purpose of an anthem? How is the song "A Step for Mankind" advancing the World Food Programme's mission?
Additional Resources
Drought and Famine Plague Horn of Africa
Record Drought Threatens Millions in Eastern Africa
