Contact: Roby Walker, Joyce Meyer Ministries, 636-349-0303 ext. 3026

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 10 /Christian Newswire/ --  Dave and Joyce Meyer, along with a Hand of Hope missions team from Joyce Meyer Ministries (JMM), are preparing to depart for humanitarian relief work in Ethiopia. JMM provides millions of meals to the hungry every year, supports and operates major medical outreaches in remote areas, operates and fully supports 46 children's homes worldwide and provides other humanitarian and disaster relief around the world.

The current situation in Ethiopia is particularly concerning given the ongoing drought, rising food prices, shortage of medical supplies, and the increasing cost of fuel. Children are particularly at risk for malnutrition and serious illness as a result.

In fact, in May UNICEF Ethiopia estimated that 126,000 children are in urgent need and at risk of severe malnutrition.

While in Ethiopia, Joyce Meyer is scheduled to visit established Hand of Hope, Joyce Meyer Ministries World Missions outreaches, including:

• Hand of Hope Feeding Programs--The ministry currently sponsors feeding programs that provide daily food and vital medicines to hundreds of families.

• Hand of Hope Medical Clinic--Earlier this year, the ministry launched a new medical clinic, which includes a pediatrics and birthing unit, ophthalmology unit, pharmacy, food bank, medical training for doctors, general exams and testing. The clinic has 4 outposts in outlying areas so that families have access to food, medical treatment and vital medications in remote areas of the country.

• Hand of Hope Women's Homes--With the support of ministry partners, Hand of Hope offers young women and girls refuge from a life of prostitution. Women receive food, medical care, counseling, education, job placement and spiritual training.

David Meyer, CEO of Hand of Hope, Joyce Meyer Ministries World Missions, said earlier, "We know that our friends and our partners are concerned about the welfare of children around the world. As a ministry, we are committed to feeding the hungry, providing medicine to the ill and hope to women and children who need shelter."

Joyce Meyer Ministries is an international nonprofit organization focusing on changing lives through media--with a potential audience of 3 billion people. For more information about JMM, please visit: www.joycemeyer.org.

For follow-up information or interview requests, please contact:
Roby Walker
(636) 349-0303 x3026
mediacontact@joycemeyer.org