Toronto, May 29…Save the Children, along with the other six members of The Humanitarian Coalition, welcomes the Government of Canada’s decision today to launch the Famine Relief Fund. As a result of the government’s announcement, all donations made from March 17 – June 30 to agencies combatting the global child hunger crisis will be matched by the Canadian Government.
Alongside applauding the government’s Famine Relief Fund, the Humanitarian Coalition today announced its campaign dedicated to the global child hunger crisis, Stop Famine Together. Donations made to the Humanitarian Coalition’s campaign will fund vital, on the ground work by all seven of its member agencies, including Save the Children.
The number of children, women, and families suffering from food crises and famine today is staggering. More than 20 million people worldwide are at risk of starvation and death across Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, and neighbouring countries.
The characteristic resilience of the communities who live through regular cycles of drought, or survive despite harsh conflict conditions, has been pushed to its breaking point. Without help, they will not survive. Together, we can save more lives.
“We are already seeing the devastating effects this crisis. There has been scattered media coverage showing the toll conflict and drought has taken on millions of people. We urge the Canadian media to raise awareness of this dire situation and help us encourage Canadians to take advantage of this matching fund and donate to our joint appeal. Together, we can save more lives,” said Richard Morgan, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Coalition.
Canadians can make a donation and find more information about the Canadian Government’s Famine Relief Fund at www.canada.ca, about the Humanitarian Coalition’s Stop Famine Together Campaign at www.together.ca, and about Save the Children’s work at www.savethechildren.ca.
The Humanitarian Coalition is Canada’s only joint appeal mechanism for international disasters and emergencies. It is made up of seven leading humanitarian agencies: Canadian Lutheran World Relief, CARE Canada, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Plan International Canada and Save the Children Canada. Collectively, they are present in 150 countries. Together, saving more lives. www.together.ca
ENDS
- For more information, please contact:
- Humanitarian Coalition
- Yosé Cormier
- 613-292-2687
- yose.cormier@together.ca
Media Contact
For additional information please contact Katharine Harris, National Senior Manager, Communications, Public Relations & Engagement:
About Save the Children
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Canada and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.