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South Sudan + 7 more

Nine Projects Totaling $2.3 million Committed in May

Over 75,000 people in eight countries will benefit; includes response to extreme hunger in South Sudan

Over 75,000 people in eight countries will benefit from nine projects totaling $2.3 million committed by Canadian Foodgrains Bank in May.

The projects are being implemented by Foodgrains Bank members ADRA Canada, Canadian Baptist Ministries, Mennonite Central Committee Canada, Presbyterian World Service & Development and World Renew, in collaboration with their local partners.

In February, famine was declared in parts of South Sudan. The country has experienced ongoing conflict since December 2013 that has led to widespread displacement. Food prices are high, and many people can’t access their farmland.

The suffering in South Sudan is part of the unprecedented humanitarian crisis affecting 20 million people across four countries.

Through its member ADRA Canada, the Foodgrains Bank has committed a new project responding to hunger in South Sudan, in Eastern Equatoria State.

Through the project, implemented locally through ADRA South Sudan, about 13,500 people a month are receiving monthly emergency food baskets of sorghum, beans, vegetable oil and salt. The project total is $530,000.

In Kenya, where drought conditions across the country have led the government to declare a national emergency, Foodgrains Bank member Mennonite Central Committee Canada is responding in the Turkana region.

Drought is particularly damaging for people in this region because most people rely on a mix of pastoralism and farming for their livelihoods. The drought means there is a lack of fodder and water for livestock, and they can’t survive. Households are selling their animals off at reduced prices in order to buy food.

High food prices in local markets are contributing to the hardship.

Through the project, implemented locally by World Relief Kenya, 1,530 of the most vulnerable households (about 11,000 people) are receiving $50 USD cash transfers once per month for four months.

Other projects committed in May include:

• An agriculture and livelihoods project in Uganda through World Renew, totaling $120,000 and benefitting 1,880 people.

• An agriculture and livelihoods project in Burkina Faso through Mennonite Central Committee Canada, totaling $95,000 and benefitting 2,375 people.

• An agriculture and livelihoods project in Burkina Faso through Mennonite Central Committee Canada, totaling $131,000 and benefitting 3,100 people.

• An agriculture and livelihoods project in Cambodia through Mennonite Central Committee Canada, totaling $181,000 and benefitting 12,000 people.

• An agriculture and livelihoods project in Haiti through Mennonite Central Committee Canada, totaling $446,000 and benefitting 17,300 people.

• An agriculture and livelihoods project in India through Canadian Baptist Ministries, totaling $112,000 and benefitting 4,300 people.

• An agriculture & livelihoods project and nutrition project in Nepal through Mennonite Central Committee Canada, totaling $165,000 and benefitting 9,900 people.

Projects supported by Canadian Foodgrains Bank are undertaken with support from the Government of Canada.

--Amanda Thorsteinsson, Communications Coordinator

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Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of 15 churches and church agencies working together to end global hunger. In the 2016-17 budget year, the Foodgrains Bank provided over $41 million of assistance for over 900,000 people in 35 countries. Canadian Foodgrains Bank projects are undertaken with matching support from the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada. Assistance from the Foodgrains Bank is provided through its member agencies, which work with local partners in the developing world.