For the first time, eight of the leading U.S.-based international relief organizations have joined forces to urge the American public to donate to the new Hunger Relief Fund in response to looming famines and persistent hunger threatening millions of people in South Sudan, Nigeria, Yemen, Somalia and neighboring countries.
More than 20 million people face starvation in the coming months and, without immediate help, 1.4 million children who are severely malnourished could die.
“Drought, displacement and conflict have converged with alarming consequences,” according to the chief executive officers of the organizations in the Global Emergency Response Coalition. “In the 21st century, innocent children should not be dying from hunger. People caught in this crisis are generously opening their homes and sharing what little they have, but they have run out of time and resources – they need our help now.”
George Clooney has lent his support by narrating the campaign’s PSA.
Over 40 celebrities and influencers – including including Minnie Driver,Camila Cabello,Marianne Williamson,Daniel Gillies,Gael Garcia Bernal, Jay Ellis, Linkin Park, and the Indigo Girls.have lent their considerable support and social media platforms to the #FightFamine campaign, which runs through July 28.
In Yemen, a child under five dies every 10 minutes because of the lack of food and basic resources. In South Sudan, families have been forced to flee their homes and are surviving on water lilies alone while hiding in swamps. In Somalia, teenagers walk for hours just to get enough water to last their families one day. In Nigeria, there have been reports of people eating sand to ward off starvation. Families are dying not only from hunger, but also from diseases such as cholera and measles because they lack clean water and sanitation.
The Global Emergency Response Coalition will use Hunger Relief Fund donations to help those already going hungry and on the brink of famine survive and lay the groundwork for recovery. The coalition is comprised of CARE, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Oxfam, Plan International, Save the Children and World Vision. Together, these organizations are working in 106 countries to reach millions of the world’s most vulnerable people with urgent assistance such as food, water, shelter, education and medical care, as well as resources to build resilience to future food crises.
Partners including PepsiCo, Google and Twitter are working with the Global Emergency Response Coalition to help raise awareness and funds during the two-week appeal, and PepsiCo Foundation will generously match donations up to $1 million.
“We can make a difference together and give people who are suffering more than food and resources. We can give them hope and show them they’re not invisible – and they’re not alone,” says Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook.
The appeal lasts through July 28, 2017 and donations to the Hunger Relief Fund can be made at www.globalemergencyresponse.org.
