Ethiopian Relief Fund: Gedame Tekle-Haymanot Emergency Hunger Relief Committee

A coalition of local Ethiopian churches has established a relief fund to help counter the advancing hunger crisis in Ethiopia.

Since its founding in mid-April, the Gedame Tekle-Haymanot Emergency Hunger Relief Committee has collected nearly $200,000, said Hermela Kebede, executive director of the Ethiopian Community Center and secretary of the relief committee.

About $70,000 was distributed through the World Food Organization, and a three-person delegation recently took $20,000 more to southeastern Ethiopia. Other funds will be distributed as soon as possible, Kebede said.

The coalition includes five Ethiopian Orthodox churches, three evangelical Ethiopian churches and an Ethiopian Catholic church.

A briefing on the delegation's trip, including videos and still photographs, will take place at 2 p.m. today at St. Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Church, 1350 Buchanan St. NW. 202-726-4115.