Lack of rainfall and rising prices have brought widespread hunger and malnutrition to the people in EAst Africa, including tens of thousands of refugees from Somalia who are searching for a safe haven. Catholic Relief Services, the Catholic organization that responds to disasters worldwide, is in East Africa to help those in need access clean water and grow food. Pope Benedict XVI said on July 17, "I hope the international community will increase its efforts to quickly send aid to our sorely tested brothers and sisters, among them many children."

Contributions to Catholic Relief Services can be made online or by sending a check payable to the Archdiocese of Detroit c/o 1234 Washington Boulevard, Fourth Floor, Detroit, Michigan 48226. Include 'Disaster relief' in the lower left memo line on the check.