GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS
Emergency Alert - May 7, 2008
You can help
our local partners
provide needed assistance.
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Background:
The cost of food worldwide has risen sharply and quickly in recent months, putting millions at risk of acute hunger. In some places the cost of basic staples like rice and cooking oil has more than doubled in less than six months. These dramatic price increases are stretching the food budgets of families the world over, and putting food purchases out of reach for the poorest of the poor. Many people are coping by cutting other essential household expenses, eating fewer meals, and selling off household assets. In some countries, the rising prices have led to violent riots in recent weeks as people become more and more desperate. The World Food Program estimates that the crisis could plunge as many as 100 million people into hunger, adding to the 850 million already chronically hungry.
| LWR AND PARTNERS ARE HELPING |
LWR’s programs focus on eliminating the root causes of hunger and poverty, making people self-sufficient and less vulnerable to price shocks. By addressing long-term food security, we enable communities to withstand price fluctuations. In situations of dire need, we may also include immediate food aid along with long-term programming to enhance food security.
We do this by:
- Working with farmers to increase crop yields through improved agricultural practices
- Introducing disease resistant crops
- Training communities to better manage their natural resources
- Ensuring access to clean water for both household use and crop irrigation
The best way to assist people caught in an emergency is to give cash so that our partner staff on the ground can be most effective.
To contribute online, click below. You will be given the opportunity to choose “Global Food Crisis ” for your contribution.
Your gift will be used to respond to the “Global Food Crisis ” until needs there are met. After that, further gifts will be used to help LWR respond where the need is greatest. Please also consider making an unrestricted donation which will enable LWR to respond quickly to the next emergency.
During regular business hours, Monday through Friday, you may also call 1-800-LWR-LWR-2, or mail a check or money order to:
Lutheran World Relief -
Global Food Crisis
P.O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832
USA
MEDIA CONTACT:
Emily Sollie, 410-230-2802 (office), 443-220-3269 (cell), esollie@lwr.org
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility. LWR is a member of Action by Churches Together.
