May 29, 2017, Montreal, Quebec – Development and Peace – Caritas Canada is extremely pleased that the Government of Canada has launched a Famine Relief Fund to respond to the severe food crisis in northeast Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, as well as other affected countries in Africa.
In February 2017, the new UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, declared 20 million people to be at risk of death in the next six months.
This particular humanitarian crisis stems from a conjunction of events that include armed conflicts coupled with severe droughts brought about by climate change. Many have fled their homes and land to escape the violence of armed conflict and are continually displaced. These issues make transportation and access to food extremely difficult.
The new Fund was announced today by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie. For every eligible donation made by individual Canadians to registered Canadian charities, such as Development and Peace between March 17 and June 30, 2017, the Government of Canada will contribute an equivalent amount to the Famine Relief Fund. #ZEROFAMINE
“Canadians are compassionate and caring global citizens and this Fund will encourage them to mobilize to mitigate the devastating effects of this impending tragedy” Serge Langlois, Executive Director, Development and Peace. “We are calling on all Canadians to step up their contributions and fundraising efforts during the Fund’s donation period so we can maximize our country’s efforts to saves the lives of vulnerable men, women and children.”
Development and Peace is present in the region and working closely with our local partners to respond to this humanitarian crisis threatening the lives of millions of people. Since February, Development and Peace has released $250,000 in funds for emergency food assistance to support its partners in South Sudan, northeastern Nigeria and Somalia.
These funds are in addition to many other Development and Peace development and international aid projects that have provided access to medical care, drinking water, sanitation, and shelter in famine-affected areas.
Development and Peace invites Canadians to double the impact of their donations by give generously to its Famine Relief Fund before June 30, 2017. Donations are accepted online, by phone, via text and by mail.
How to donate:
- By phone: 1 888 664-3387
- On the web: Donate now
- Text to give: Using your cell phone, send a text message with the word PEACE to 45678 to donate $10 to Development and Peace.
- By mail: 1425 René-Lévesque blvd. W, 3rd Floor, Montreal, QC, H3G 1T7
About Development and Peace – Caritas Canada
Development and Peace is one of the most important international development organizations in Canada. It was founded in 1967 by the Canadian Catholic Bishops as a means of inspiring Canadians to act in solidarity with their sisters and brothers in the Global South suffering from the injustice of poverty. Over the past 50 years, Development and Peace has invested $600 million in more than 15,000 projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
Development and Peace is a strong and diverse movement that brings together Canadians from all over the country working for justice to enable that the poorest people to live with respect and dignity. Development and Peace is also Caritas Canada, official member of the Caritas Internationalis confederation, an international network of more than 160 Catholic development organizations.
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For more information please contact:
Gay Decker, Communications Officer
514 257-8711 ext. 365
gay.decker@devp.org