Nahed, a Syrian mother, once had a good life. She was a school teacher in Rural Damascus. It was a middle-class living that could provide for her family. But all that changed when the civil war came to her country.
The fighting between the government and rebel groups forced Nahed and her family to flee their home.
Read the full article at The Huffington Post.
Filed under global hunger
Last week on the Huffington Post I wrote about an amazing group of women who are helping earthquake victims in Nepal. These are members of the Seven Summits Women Team of mountain climbers.
This is an elite group of the world’s best climbers. Now they are going to be teaming up with the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the largest agency fighting hunger.
WFP is leading the hunger relief mission in Nepal. There are 3.5 million people who need food aid in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Reaching those in need is difficult because of the mountainous terrain, landslides and the damage to roads caused by the quake. WFP put out a request for mountain climbers, porters and even pack animals to help them deliver food to remote, hard to reach villages.
According to the Seven Summits Women team, climbers Nimdoma Sherpa, Pema Diki Sherpa, Chunu Shrestha, and Asha Kumari Singh will be joining WFP. The Seven Summits team has been involved in earthquake relief from the very start of the emergency. Nimdoma Sherpa, who at age 17 scaled Mount Everest, just completed a two day journey with 2 hours sleep to reach a village with supplies.
With monsoon season approaching, it’s a race against time to get food supplies into these areas. WFP is providing rice, high energy biscuits and other foods. Small children are especially vulnerable to malnutrition following a disaster. WFP is committed to getting special nutritional foods, like the peanut paste Plumpy’Sup, to children in need.
Relying entirely on voluntary donations, WFP has also issued an urgent request for funds. The emergency relief of Nepal will cost at least US $116 million. Food to help reconstruction will require even more funding. So there is a tremendous need for donations.
Both WFP and the Seven Summits Women Team have pages where you can donate.
Read the full article at Examiner.
Filed under global hunger
The tragic crash of a U.S. military helicopter, which was carrying six Marines and two Nepalese soldiers, was part of a humanitarian operation to help earthquake victims. It’s called Operation Sahayogi Haat, which means “Helping Hand” in Nepali.
Last month’s earthquake has left millions in Nepal in need of food, water, shelter and medicine. The United States military has been called upon to support the relief effort.
Marines from Joint Task Force 505 of the U.S. Pacific Command have been taking part in the mission. The Defense Department reported earlier this week,
U.S. Marine Huey and Osprey aircraft delivered 174,706 pounds of emergency relief supplies since Operation Sahayogi Haat began. The supplies included plastic sheeting, shelter kits, blankets, food, water and medical materials.”
The U.S. military has been working with Nepal’s government, USAID, the World Food Programme and others to deliver life-saving aid. More quakes have struck Nepal this month leaving many others in need of help.
The mission is one of great danger as revealed when the U.S military helicopter went down earlier this week in a remote, mountainous region. U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. John E. Wissler says the soldiers lost in the crash “were determined to go forward with their duties, eager to contribute to our mission to alleviate suffering and come to the rescue of those in need.” He added, “The United States military will remain committed to our mission here in Nepal.”
The suffering people of Nepal can count on that support. The U.S. military has a long tradition of providing humanitarian aid, including massive operations during and after World War I and II which fed millions.
Read the full article at Examiner.
Filed under global hunger
Imagine if you lost your internet service. Picture having no email capability or access to net-based information for days, even weeks. Yikes! How would the loss of the internet affect your daily work?
But now let’s thicken the plot. Imagine if your job was the emergency feeding of millions of people following a natural disaster. You would need to organize and communicate quickly and effectively with others. At this point, internet is far more than just a luxury or convenience. Lives depend on it.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP), the largest hunger relief organization, makes internet connectivity a top priority when disaster strikes. Basic internet, that many of us take for granted, is often damaged or not available in afflicted, impoverished areas.
Read the full article at The Huffington Post.
Filed under global hunger
Reunited, the family is trying to recover from the shock of April 25th disaster that killed more than 8,000 people and injured an estimated 16,000. Like thousands of survivors across the country, Sangmaya and her family need food to survive and rebuild.
They are getting this aid from the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The rice represents more than lifesaving nutrition. Each spoonful represents hope and strength for a better tomorrow.
Read the full article at Examiner.
Filed under global hunger
When it comes to athletic achievement, the Seven Summits Women Team from Nepal is second to none. This elite group of female mountain climbers have scaled the highest peaks in the world, including Everest.
They are much more than great athletes. They are also advocates for women’s rights.
But now these women face their greatest challenge. They must save Nepal from the devastation of last month’s massive earthquake. They want your help. As their team motto says, “Together We Reach Higher.”
Read my commentary at The Huffington Post.
Filed under global hunger
70 years ago the U.S. and British air forces led a life-saving mission that is a great example today, as we face some of the worst humanitarian emergencies since that time.
See my commentary at The History News Network.
Filed under global hunger
The latest UN update on Yemen has a clear message for the warring forces: “stop causing suffering of civilians.”
Over 1200 have been killed and 300,000 displaced by the war between the Houthi rebels and forces loyal to Yemen’s ousted President Hadi.
Yemen’s war has also given strength to a silent enemy within the country: Hunger and malnutrition.
Read the full article at Examiner.
Filed under global hunger
Hunger is escalating in Nepal following the massive earthquake which struck on Saturday. The United Nations, in a report released Wednesday, says more than 3.5 million people will need food assistance.
The earthquake has claimed over 5,000 lives. More than 10,000 have been injured. Over 70,000 homes have been destroyed and 2.8 million people have been displaced.
Twelve districts are in need of immediate food aid. One of the great concerns is child malnutrition. A UN appeal explains,
The disruptions of health services due to the earthquake combined with increased food insecurity threaten to worsen already high malnutrition rates among most vulnerable populations in affected districts with a serious impact on the nutrition status of children under-five years of age and of pregnant and lactating women.”
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is leading an initial response to feed 1.4 million people. Distribution of high energy biscuits and rice is underway. The rice is being obtained from within Nepal.
WFP will also feed small children a peanut paste called Plumpy’Sup. This enriched food can prevent deadly malnutrition from taking hold.
Farmers will need help getting ready for the next planting season. A special emphasis will be placed on agricultural inputs to restore food production.
Distribution of food rations will continue to reach more areas. Transporting the food is very difficult in the disaster areas. Landslides has delayed deliveries in Gorkha and Dhading districts.
However, the UN also warns that lack of funds will make the hunger relief mission even more difficult. WFP, which relies on voluntary contributions, has set up a donation page for Nepal.
Read the full article at Examiner.
Filed under global hunger
Imagine if you were forced from your home because of an armed conflict. What if you lost everything you own as a result?
You flee to another land for safety. There you find refuge and the helping hand of charity. You get the basics of food, water and shelter.
Read my full commentary at The Huffington Post.
Filed under global hunger
Author William Lambers 