Responding to Food Challenges in New Mexico During a Health Crisis

Chart: House Speaker Brian Egolf's Office

The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus has created many challenges around the country. In an attempt to slow the spread of the virus, municipalities and state-governments (including New Mexico) have ordered residents to stay home and have closed down non-essential businesses, schools, churches and other places where large numbers of people tend to gather.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the stay-at-home order on March 23. As of March 27, the state had reported 191 cases  where patients have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the New Mexico Political Report. 

While the magnitude of the challenge is not as high here in New Mexico as it is in states like New York, Washington,  California, Michigan and Louisiana (among others), the need for social distancing is a necessary prescription to stem potential problems down the road, including the possibility of overtaxing our heath care system.

Finding Food
One of the biggest challenges for New Mexico and other states with high levels of food insecurity is ensuring that food is available to all residents. This is not necessarily an easy task. News of the crisis diminished food supplies around the state. The natural tendency to hoard food during a time of crisis means that items like canned goods and other non-perishables are not as readily available to the food banks.

“People are going out and purchasing a lot of the items that would typically come to the food bank.” Roadrunner Food Bank spokeswoman Sonya Warwick said in an interview with the Albuquerque Journal on March 22. 

Broad Coalition Discusses Strategy
Rep. Melanie Stansbury and New Mexico First have helped bring together a broad statewide coalition to help find solutions to our challenges and coordinate a response.

On March 27, Rep. Stansbury convened a meeting via telephone, in which about 50 people participated. Many participants were already involved in a broad movement  to craft and promote legislation to address hunger in our state in the near future and over the long term.

I won't name all the participants but want to note the participation of key players, including staff from Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich and Rep. Deb Haaland and several state government agencies (Health, Public Education, Human Services, Indian Affairs) as well as Gov. Lujan Grisham's office.

State Reps. Phelps Anderson (Chaves, Lea & Roosevelt), Joy Garratt (Bernalillo) and Rudy Martinez (Doña Ana, Grant & Sierra) and representatives from Speaker Brian Egolf offce, as well as officials from the City of Albuquerque, and Grant County (Silver City) took part.

The food banks from around the state were represented, including Roadrunner Food Bank, the Food Depot (Santa Fe), ECHO (Four Corners), The Community Food Pantry (Gallup), and the Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico (Clovis).  Other direct food providers also added their two cents to the conversation.

The rest of the participants included advocacy groups (New Mexico Appleseed and the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty), agriculture-related groups (the New Mexico Farmers Marketing Association and the New Mexico Food and Agriculture Policy Council). Ellen Buelow and I represented the Interfaith Hunger Coalition.

(Thank you to Lilly Irvin-Vitela from New Mexico First for taking great notes)!

 

Logo for The Community Pantry (Gallup)

A Great Job of Coordination
How did we coordinate all the input?

First, it was important to get the big picture and the challenges. This information came from the food banks and others engaged in direct service.

In addition to tight food supplies, the state's network of food banks has reported other challenges, such as a loss of traditional volunteers (many of whom are vulnerable seniors) and a reduction in operations for food-providing agencies (who are trying to keep employees and the public safe).

Furthermore, there are increased costs for transportation, a lack of sufficient cold storage capacity, the potential increase in demand due to an economic downturn, among other challenges. 

Moving Forward
After getting the big picture, the participants decided to create four task forces: 1) Volunteer Mobilization 2) Food Supply 3) Funding Coordination. 4) Coordinated Communication  You will be hearing more on each of these areas in the near future

Additionally, multiple efforts will be occurring simultaneously, such as connecting producers with food providers, creating support systems for local and tribal communities, tracking and consolidating information on what advocacy and other groups are doing.

The statewide response will be led by Patty Keane, Gov. Lujan Grisham's coordinator for hunger initiatives, with help from many other people.

Photo: Roadrunner Food Bank

How You Can Help Now
While specifics are still in the works for the broader effort, there are existing volunteer opportunities in place. Here are a couple of suggestions. Please Note: This is only a partial list.
Roadrunner Food Bank
Meals on Wheels (Albuquerque and Rio Rancho)
Meals on Wheels (Santa Fe)
Food Banks: ECHO in Farmington (505-326-3770), The Community Food Pantry in Gallup (505-726-8068), Food Bank of Eastern New Mexico in Clovis (575-763-6130), The Food Depot in Santa Fe (505-471-1633).

Stay Informed
Check out Resource and Information pages from 
Share New Mexico
Catholic Charities
City of Albuquerque
City of Las Cruces (Youth and Senior Citizens)
City of Santa Fe
State of New Mexico

Urban Way of the Cross: Physically Separated, Still a Community

Let’s stay spiritually connected while social distancing. Let’s remain grounded in faith, guided by the Spirit, and directed towards hope. We will continue to rise above the challenging times... -Loyola University, New Orleans

We have been asked to engage in social distancing during the current outbreak of COVID-19. This has forced us to abandon our traditional ways of practicing community. We have walked together, we have held hands during prayers, we have hugged and kissed each other on the cheek. Social distancing precludes all these practices.

Therefore, our traditional Good Friday Urban Way of the Cross in Albuquerque will not follow its usual format. Instead of walking on the streets of downtown to offer witness about the many ways in which we failed to follow the teachings of Jesus to love our neighbor, we will offer witness through social media.

Stay tuned for a series of reflections that we will post on this site on Holy Week. 

In the meantime, we offer these reflections to help us ponder, pray and hold each other in solidarity.

As always, those who are in poverty, those suffering from illness, immigrants, and/or refugees are the most likely to be severely impacted. These are, obviously, all groups of people Jesus calls on us to protect in Matthew 25 — always a core Gospel text for us that clearly relates to this growing health threat...Each of us has a personal responsibility to each other: to be prepared and to do what we can to minimize transmission of this virus.  -Rev. Jim Wallis, Sojourners

We are in the midst of a highly teachable moment. There’s no doubt that this period will be referred to for the rest of our lifetimes. We have a chance to go deep, and to go broad. Globally, we’re in this together. Depth is being forced on us by great suffering, which as I like to say, always leads to great love. -Father Richard Rohr, Center for Action and Contemplation

In times of national uncertainty, with all the unknowns about COVID-19 spread, there are a few things about which we can be certain.

That our prayers for God’s power, protection and presence are with those on the front lines of public health leadership and those who are isolated, sick or fearful.

That our nation has an essential role to play in public policy decisions that shape the health, security and well-being of people, throughout this country and the world, and that our vigilance and advocacy are required to hold our leaders accountable.

That as the ELCA we will not stand by when people are scapegoated, attacked or targeted based on race or ethnicity, which today means solidarity and presence with Asian and Pacific Americans and their communities.

That in Lent God invites us to renewal of faith and life, and at this moment of fear and uncertainty the church is charged with witnessing to a liberating spirituality that includes repentance, resistance and hope.  -Rev. Amy Reumann, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

House Bill Assists People Affected by COVID 19 Virus

This is not the actual video, just a screenshot. The link is below

Late on Friday evening, the House of Representatives approved the Families First Coronavirus Response Act by an overwhelming margin of 363-40. All three New Mexico House members supported HR6201. Here is a summary. In this video, Rep. Deb Haaland from New Mexico talks about the importance of this measure, which
💉 Guarantees free testing
👪 Provides paid leave
💵 Supports strong unemployment benefits
🍲 Expands food assistance

Interfaith Hunger Coalition Postpones March Meeting

Kurt Rager

Because of health concerns related to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the steering committee of the Interfaith Hunger Coalition has postponed our next gathering, originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 24. We are working with our featured presenter, Kurt Rager, director of the Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-New Mexico, to reschedule the event later this year.

In addition to updates from Kurt about LAM-NM's legislative agenda for this year, we were also scheduled to review other legislative initiatives related to hunger. A representative from New Mexico Appleseed was scheduled to tell us about House Bill 10, which eliminated co-pays for school lunches and breakfasts for many low-income students.

This brief summary contains a couple of updates to the legislative summary sent on March 5, including an appropriations request for nonperishable food products for New Mexico food banks, and a correction to the item on child care assistance. (The original intent was to eliminate co-pays, but the allocation was insufficient to do so).

Responding to the Outbreak
We are tracking initiatives designed to ensure that the crisis response does not prevent anyone from continuing to have access to food. One major concern is that the closure of schools would leave students who rely on subsidized or free school lunches without access to food.  (This week, authorities announced that all schools in the state would be closed  for three weeks, starting on March 16)..

Local authorities are considering measures to ensure that children continue to have access to food. And  local agencies are doing what they can to assist in this effort. "Roadrunner Food Bank will continue food distributions at school sites as long the schools have staff that can continue them during the closures," said one food bank administrator. "Things are moving fast and new variables are happening every hour it seems. But, right now, our plan is continue distributions of food where we have partners that are willing and able to continue."

At the federal level, Rep. Deb Haaland of New Mexico is one of three legislators who introduced the Ensuring Emergency Food Security Act. Advocates around the country are asked to contact their federal representatives to support this initiative. (See Graphic Below).



Partner Events Postponed or Cancelled
The following events organized by or on behalf of our endorsing congregations or organizations have been cancelled or postponed.

March 13-14 (Postponed, Date TBA): What needed gifts do faith communities bring to climate action? A retreat with Dr. Larry Rasmussen hosted by New Mexico Interfaith Power and Light, First Congregational Church. Friday: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday: 9:00-12 Noon. Sliding scale donation according to means $10-$50 (no one turned away).

March 14 (Cancelled): Bread for the World-New Mexico Offering of Letters, Saturday, March 14, All Saints Lutheran Church, 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon. Here is more information.

March 28 (Cancelled): Circo for Community and Justice. Support the New Mexico Conference of Churches, enjoy music by the Peace Pipes and celebrate the awarding of the annual Turquoise Award to an outstanding community leader. At St. John's United Methodist Church. Get Tickets: $35 for individuals, $300 for table of 10.

No Announcement Yet on the Following Events (Watch for Updates)
April 4: Pull for the Pantry. A rowing and fitness fundraiser to benefit The Storehouse. Orangetheory Albuquerque Fitness -Westside. 6361 Riverside Plaza Ln, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87120. You can also “Pull for the Pantry” by forming your own team. Invite friends and family to sponsor you, and join us at Orangetheory Fitness to row 5 meters for every dollar you raise. Donate or Form a Team

April 21-23: 10th Annual Farm to Cafeteria Conference, hosted by National Farm to School Network and Farm to Table in New Mexico. Albuquerque Convention Center. More information here    Register now

June 24  Annual New Mexico KIDS Count Conference, hosted by New Mexico Voices for Children

Relief Efforts for Victims of Volcán de Fuego in Guatemala

Photo: Ahora Noticias

When Guatemala’s Fuego volcano erupted on June 3, villages, coffee farms and a golf resort downslope were consumed in just minutes by a pyroclastic flow — a fast-moving mixture of hot gas and volcanic rock. When an eruption releases mixtures that are denser than air, it forms a toxic landslide, careening downhill at speeds between 30 and 90 miles per hour and temperatures up to 1,300 degrees.  Article in The New York Times

On Sunday, June 3rd, 2018, Volcán Fuego, near Guatemala City, erupted killing at least 99 people. San Lucas Tolimán (which is near the volcano)is safe and has not been affected, but please keep our brothers and sisters in Guatemala in your thoughts and prayers. Friends of San Lucas Tolimán

We are thinking about all those affected by this week's devastating eruption at Volcán de Fuego. The blast occurred about 70 miles away from the farmer groups we work with but only about 20 miles southeast of San Lucas Toliman, where Bill Harris will be volunteering with Habitat for Humanity in November...Volcanic ash could affect residents across the country, but most of the devastating debris and lava is affecting communities at the base of the volcano. Our thoughts are with those families and rescue workers on-site. Café Campesino

Suggested Donation Sites
Please consider donating through this GoFundMe page that was recommended by Geoffrey Hennies, webmaster, the webmaster for Café Campesino, who lives in Guatemala. The money is passed to Micoope, a local credit union/co-op that is organizing a fundraising effort in the country.

Other groups working on relief and donation efforts include the local Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services, the Miguel Vargas Association, the Rotary Club of Guatemala and additional entities listed on Go Fund Me's official relief page.

The following article was posted on the Café Campesino blog shortly before the disaster took place. We will send updates on our November trip to San Lucas Toliman as Habitat for Humanity works to determine the needs of Guatemalan communities.

Benefit Concerts in #ABQ for the Victims of Hurricane Maria

Friday, October 6, 7:00 PM
Second Presbyterian Church
812 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque  (map)

Featuring violinist and Music Director Maestro Guillermo Figueroa, Jazz guitarist Marcos Cavalcante, pianist Dr. Mariano Morales, members of Los Pleneros de la 21, and other local artists performing a variety of musical styles. Free-will offering.

Saturday, October 7, 7:30 PM 
National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th Street SW  Albuquerque (map)

Los Pleneros de la 21, an Afro-Puerto Rican bomba and plena ensemble, will perform at the NHCC. Buy Tickets: ($35, $32 w/ $3 discount for students & seniors and $5 discount for Outpost & NHCC members  Donations will be collected at the concert).

Wilkimedia Commons Image from poster by

Dwn1080

Sunday, October 15, 4:00 PM
Second Presbyterian Church
812 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque (map)

Salsa bands in Albuquerque join to benefit the people of Puerto Rico. Featuring Terra Plena, Café Mocha, and DJ Pedro. Dancing, domino tournament, and Puerto Rican food for sale. Tickets at the door $20.00 per person.

A Prayer and a Chance to Help Hurricane Victims

Wikimedia Commons

With Texas still reeling from Hurricane Harvey, and Florida bracing for Hurricane Irma, we pray for those affected by these powerful and dangerous storms—both here and also throughout the Caribbean, where Irma left behind death and destruction. While Haiti and the Dominican Republic were spared a direct hit as the storm passed north of Hispaniola, Catholic Relief Services and our Caritas partners in St. Lucia and Grenada are supporting evacuations ahead of Hurricane José, a Category 4 storm expected to barrel across those same islands. Meanwhile, our teams in Haiti and the Dominican Republic are mounting a relief effort for affected communities, ready to distribute tarps for temporary shelter and other necessities.

We ask for your prayers for our brothers and sisters internationally and here at home, knowing the power of these destructive storms, but also the power and grace of our Creator.

Make Us Shelter, Make Us Strength

A prayer for all those in the path of Hurricane Irma

Photo by  Infrogmation,Wikimedia Commons

Lord of Heaven and Earth, of sea and sky,
We look upon sisters and brothers
In the paths of storms
Beset by rising waters and violent winds.
In such times, we turn to you.
You are our shelter, you are our strength.
You are our comfort and protection.

Make us these things for our brothers and sisters.
Make us shelter, make us strength.
Make us comfort and protection.
We are your children, your image and likeness.
Make us more like you, God of all goodness. And so, let waters recede, to be replaced by a rising tide of compassion,
Let winds dissipate to be replaced by the roar of justice,
That all might know your mercy
And find safety and hope in the midst of storms.
Amen
(Download this prayer in PDF)

Donations to CRS’ relief efforts will help provide tarps, hygiene and kitchen kits, and education campaigns to help residents avoid the waterborne and respiratory diseases that often occur in the aftermath of hurricanes.

Other  Places to Donate
United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
Lutheran World Relief (Assistance for Haiti)
Church World Service Emergency Cleanup Buckets for Harvey & Irma  Assemble  Drop Off
Charity Navigator (Agencies helping victims of Harvey)
 The American Red Cross is working with dozens of disaster partners to support feeding, child care, disaster assessment and other disaster services. Some of the partners we are coordinating with include Americorps NCCC, Church of the Brethren Children’s Disaster Services, Save the Children, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Islamic Relief USA.”

Hurricane Harvey's Long Reach

This tragic disaster is a reminder that the whole world is now tied together in a way that cannot be unwound, no matter the rhetoric of politicians the world over. As a citizen of the world, and a Fair Trade business owner, my vision is to help cement those ties in a way that no one "drowns" (physically or metaphorically) when disaster strikes anywhere in the world.

 By Rikki Quintana

Right now, I'm sitting in a hotel room in Anaheim, California, contemplating the global impact of what seems like only a local disaster, even if one of epic proportions for the modern US:Hurricane Harvey, in southeast Texas and Louisiana. The regional economic impact is expected to be in the tens of billions of dollars. But even that can't really be evaluated yet, because Harvey is still dumping rain in its painfully slow travel route, the waters are still rising in much of Southeast Texas and Louisiana, and more rainfall is expected to fall next week.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Entire towns are under water, and it will take days, if not weeks, for the waters to recede. It is now estimated that this storm has produced more local rain over its life than any other storm in recorded US history (over 50 inches in many parts of Houston). Tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of homes will probably be entirely lost, and many homeowners are not covered by insurance, since the flood has extended well beyond the recognized and insurable "flood zones." The loss of life is small so far (11 people), but may grow, and the emotional and economic impact on the individual people of the region will be unfathomable.

So, what does that have to do with a business like HoonArts Fair Trade, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico (many hundreds of miles away and safely dry)? How could it possibly impact artisans living in Central Asia on the other side of the globe?

I am scheduled to be an exhibitor at the Houston International Quilt Festival the first week of November, a short 2 months away. This event was anticipated to be our biggest show of the year, and probably our biggest show ever, since the show normally draws 55,000 to 60,000 people.

Right now, the downtown Convention Center where the Festival is scheduled to be held is atemporary shelter occupied by over 10,000 people who had to evacuate their homes due to life-threatening flooding. There is no estimate of when the Convention Center will be back in operation hosting events. Right now, all highways into the city are closed, and rescue and recovery vehicles will probably be occupying those highways for a long time after they become passable.

We don't know the status of the hotel where I have reserved a room. We don't know how long it will take the local airports to become operational again. Even if the Quilt Festival does go forward, we don't know how many local people will be able to attend, given the new economic reality of the area. Orhow many out-of-towners will brave the unknown, so soon after a disaster of this magnitude.

I have purchased inventory (and ordered more) in anticipation of the Festival. I can't predict today whether I'll be able to sell that inventory, whether or not the Festival goes forward. If I can't sell the inventory, that means my ability to purchase more inventory from our small artisan groups in Central Asia will suffer dramatically. It also means that other plans, like new product design, and possibly hiring a professional designer/pattern maker to help with new designs, will be put on hold. The potential cascade impact on our artisans is obvious.

Other Fair Trade businesses are also affected, no matter where they are located. For example, Albuquerque-based Baskets of Africa receives many of its shipments from Africa through the Houston port. No one knows yet when the port will be fully operational again. And no one is in a position yet to evaluate the cascade of impacts that will have on businesses at either end of the supply chain. Businesses all over the world will be affected.

While the direct impact of Harvey on HoonArts Fair Trade is something I can expect to weather over the coming year, the impact on artisans who already live very close to the margin is exponentially more difficult. This tragic disaster is a reminder that the whole world is now tied together in a way that cannot be unwound, no matter the rhetoric of politicians the world over.

As a citizen of the world, and a Fair Trade business owner, my vision is to help cement those ties in a way that no one "drowns" (physically or metaphorically) when disaster strikes anywhere in the world.We really are one, and we must all do what we can to build ever stronger ties.

 I'll keep you posted on Quilt Festival updates. Maybe by next month, we'll have a better idea about the immediate future.

(The author is owner and CEO of HoonArts Fair Trade and editor of the Beyond Tourism and Fair Trade Caravan blogs)

Tweets about and from Food Banks in Houston, Corpus Christi, Galveston, Beaumont

A list of Texas food banks including Southeast Texas Food Bank, serving Beaumont, Port Arthur and surrounding areas. https://t.co/O9izCYmsIq

— Michael Tisserand (@m_tisserand) August 30, 2017

Very grateful for the volunteers! We're in it for the long haul, keep us in mind in the coming weeks, months & year. https://t.co/LA0lh4F5kX pic.twitter.com/9LqrirSftK

— Houston Food Bank (@HoustonFoodBank) September 2, 2017

I am here at the Houston Food Bank waiting to unload your donation. #helphi #houstonstrong #Harvey2017 pic.twitter.com/OSZIDBZjxI

— RBlanford (@rkblanford) September 3, 2017

Give money to the Houston Food Bank, y'all: https://t.co/2eJCaTbAxc

— Amy McCarthy (@aemccarthy) August 30, 2017

Food Bank of Corpus Christi helps those in Port A and Rockport, two towns completely devastated: https://t.co/x5lcYOuNu2

— Lisa Fain (@homesicktexan) August 31, 2017

T-shirts for good! All proceeds supports the Food Bank of Corpus Christi. Nice work, @TacoCreative!!#hurricaneharvey https://t.co/j6976A9t1J pic.twitter.com/Kte8C3PFoe

— TacosofTexas 🌮 (@TacosofTexas) September 1, 2017

REMINDER: The Southeast Texas Food Bank is now out of water.

— Fox 4 (@fox4beaumont) August 31, 2017

Water distribution 12-3p at SE Texas food bank in Beaumont. 100s of cars lining MLK in both directions. Volunteers working. 2 cases/family.

— Kaylee Hartung (@KayleeHartung) September 1, 2017

Cheers to the Local 518! The musicians will come together in a night of song to benefit #HurricaneHarvey relief.... https://t.co/NOpeK223vE

— WEXT Exit 97.7 (@977WEXT) September 1, 2017

#Hunger Tweets on the Last Day of July

These are just a handful of important hunger-related issues, as told via Twitter

Oregon is one step closer to ending school-lunch shaming: https://t.co/JFKMTkOapQ

— A Place at the Table (@PlaceAtTheTable) July 28, 2017

"It is important for people to know that the face of #hunger looks like anyone of
us"~@DawnCPierce https://t.co/rrHPafMVEc #EndHunger

— Say It Forward (@SayItForwardNow) July 21, 2017

In honor of #comiccon2017 our team transformed into Heroes Against Hunger! We use our powers in research, education & data to fight #hunger. pic.twitter.com/xApQxreKFc

— SD Hunger Coalition (@SDHungerCo) July 21, 2017

We can't end #hunger and poverty if we don't tackle #climatechange, too: https://t.co/iM13flWpTa pic.twitter.com/0lQ3XinOLh

— Mercy Corps (@mercycorps) July 21, 2017

Publication: The work of #UNFAO to enhance national capacities to report on #climatechange 👉 https://t.co/nO6mUOgItl pic.twitter.com/AcdLKiGVKc

— FAO Newsroom (@FAOnews) July 30, 2017

We’ve made great strides in the fight against global #hunger. So why are millions at risk of starvation? https://t.co/zg4ZoMqzdk @abbymaxman

— Oxfam International (@Oxfam) July 29, 2017

Nearly 2 million Yemeni #children are acutely malnourished. #Yemen #EndWorldHunger #famine #hunger pic.twitter.com/oC0oQBbLd4

— RippleZoo (@RippleZoo) July 31, 2017

Tell the House Appropriations Committee: #DontCutLives!

Members of the House Appropriations Committee are reviewing State and Foreign Operations Appropriations budget for the coming year.

Thanks to our advocacy, they have pushed back against the most extreme, life-threatening budget cuts – but we need to protect every dollar we can to save lives around the world, including the 30 million facing unprecedented famine.

Send your message right now to committee members and call on them to protect this crucial budget from any cuts, and ensure America’s foreign assistance can continue to be a force for good around the world.

Below is the text of  the message that CARE has put together for you to send.  Follow this link to send the message

Protect the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill

To the members of the House Appropriations Committee,

I am joining with CARE advocates to urge you to protect America's foreign assistance budget, and to call on you to mitigate any cuts to the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill for FY18.

There has never been a more crucial time for our country to reaffirm its commitment to providing assistance and spreading stability around the world through foreign aid. More than 30 million people are currently facing starvation in an unprecedented four potential famines -- and in these devastating conditions, women and girls face the most vulnerability. Already these conditions have caused a cholera outbreak in Yemen, with one person dying nearly every hour on average.

Protecting this spending bill from the Trump Administration's proposed cuts will save millions of lives, not only through immediate relief assistance, but also by continuing to provide maternal health, economic development, education, and so much more.

Foreign aid saves lives -- and right now, it's time to save foreign aid. I call on Congress to protect foreign assistance funding in all budget negotiations and to pass a budget that protects lives, supports our national security and maintains our nation's leadership in the world.

Sincerely,

The Weather Channel: Drought in Northern Somalia

The plants are the first to die. Then the grazing animals from both thirst and starvation. Next, drought, famine and disease take the children and the elderly. Healthy adults generally fare the best. The pastoral economy here, where wealth is determined by livestock and the search for pastures is a way of life, depends on the rain. But for the third spring in a row, rain hasn’t come.

Photo: The Weather Channel

The first thought that comes to mind when you say The Weather Channel is the 10-Day forecast for my travel destination or the hourly forecast in my hometown over the next day.  I did not expect to find a comprehensive feature about the drought in East Africa. And yet, it makes sense that The Weather Channel would be covering a weather-related topic and how a lack of rain has contributed in a major way to a crisis in northern Somalia.  

The feature Life on the Edge contains descriptions, photographs and videos of the plight of people living in northern Somalia. "The region is Somaliland, a would-be breakaway state in northern Somalia, unrecognized on the world stage and certainly not recognized by Somalia’s central government in Mogadishu," said the article by Tim Freccia and Nicole Nicole Bonaccorso. "Somaliland is a place of relative stability, but the drought has frayed the region’s ability to care for itself. And while the drought is natural, the severity has been linked to human-induced climate change."   Read full article

Somalia is one of four regions of the world currently facing a famine because of climate factors and conflict.  Some governments, including the U.S., have stepped up with financial assistance for the U.N. and other agencies involved in famine relief.  Private citizens and church and civic groups can also provide support with prayer and financial donations.  Charity Navigator provides a partial list of Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations providing assistance to victims of famine in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria.

Alliance to End Hunger Thanks Congress for Funding Famine Relief

Earlier this  year, the Alliance to End Hunger launched a campaign to urge Congress to provide emergency relief to four areas experience or at risk of famine: South Sudan, Somalia, northern Nigeria and Yemen. In part because of efforts by the alliance and other anti-hunger advocates in our country, Congress took the appeal to heart and approved $1 billion for this much-needed effort.

In this tweet from the Alliance, the group's executive director emeritus Tony Hall offers his gratitude to Congress and to everyone who reached out to their representative to include the famine-relief funds in a recent budget decision. Hall, a former member of Congress from Ohio and ex-ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), also discussed the issue during an address to a Congressional-Diplomatic Dialogue.

WATCH: Tony Hall thanks Congress, Alliance members, & others for making nearly $1B in #budget for #famine relief possible! pic.twitter.com/7rKJlPTl81

— AllianceToEndHunger (@toendhunger) May 5, 2017

Note: If you would like to send a donation, Charity Navigator provides a partial list of Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations providing assistance to victims of famine in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria.

Highlighting Crises in South Sudan, Yemen

South Sudan and Yemen are two of a handful of countries that are suffering a crisis, due to a combination of war, a collapsed economy and weather-related factors that have decimated food production. Two agencies are working (to the extent allowed) to help alleviate the problem: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Doctors Without Borders (Medicins Sans Frontiers). While we highlight South Sudan and Yemen as just two of the countries, conditions are just as bad in Somalia, Nigeria and other nearby countries.

Urgent Need in South Sudan

Photo: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Famine and violence in South Sudan have created the worst crisis in Africa. Children are starving to death. The vast majority of those on the run are women and children. They need urgent food, shelter, protection and safety. You can help rush critical supplies like medicine, clean water, food and tents to desperate children and families. Your tax-deductible monthly gift to USA for UNHCR (The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) will save lives from South Sudan to Yemen from Syria to Ukraine – wherever refugees are in need of help.

USA for UNHCR helps and protects refugees and people displaced by violence, conflict and persecution. Supporting UNHCR – the UN Refugee Agency – and its partners, your gift provides lifesaving essentials including shelter, water, food, safety and protection. Around the world, we help refugees survive, recover and build a better future. As a USA for UNHCR donor, you’ll receive updates on how your gift is helping.

Make a One-Time Gift
Give Monthly

Two-Year Crisis Worsens in Yemen

Photo: Medicins sans Frontiers

More than two years of intense conflict have left an ever-growing trail of destruction, suffering and trauma for Yemenis. United Nations (UN) estimates speak of at least 10,000 killed and 42,000 injured since the fighting intensified in March 2015. As the war rages on, each day brings its new share of casualties. -from MSF's briefing paper,"Yemen Crisis: Obstructed Aid and Crumbling Health Care System"

Millions of people across Yemen are in critical need of aid in order to survive in a country where the economy has largely collapsed, basic services struggle to function, and social safety nets are strained. Many of the patients we treat, and the families of the medical staff with whom we work, have lost their livelihoods and face illness, rising prices, and shortages of essentials, including food, fuel, and electricity. -from MSF's website update
 
Targeting a Donation to Yemen
While it is possible to have your gift directed toward a specific program or country, MSF asks that you contribute unrestricted funding. By not restricting your contribution for a specific emergency or project, you will enable us to allocate our resources more efficiently and where the needs are greatest.   

Should you still wish to restrict your donation please indicate the specific program or country when making your contribution (Yemen). In order to restrict an online donation, you must send an email to donations@newyork.msf.org after your transaction is complete. In your email, please tell us to which country or program you would like the funds directed. Please include your name, full address, the amount of your donation, and your donation confirmation number so that we can locate your record. Make an Online Donation

Charity Navigator provides a partial list of Agencies and Non-Governmental Organizations providing assistance to victims of famine in Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria. The list includes MSF and UNHCR (USA).

Famine Emergency is on the Radar of Congress

Thank God for the Congressional Hunger Caucus. Otherwise, the emergency situation in East Africa and Yemen might fall through the cracks as Congress moves through its agenda. Watch for updates in the Bread New Mexico blog Here is a Tweet from  Rep. Jim McGovern, one of the co-chairs of the caucus.

With millions of people on the brink of famine, proud to join bipartisan coalition in Congress to say we must #FightFamine and end #hunger. pic.twitter.com/yncJadIt4d

— Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) April 7, 2017

Responding to the Earthquake in Ecuador

Map from Charity Navigator

The number of confirmed fatalities from last weekend’s magnitude-7.8 earthquake on Ecuador’s northern Pacific coast stands at 443, Defense Minister Ricardo Patiño said Tuesday. “We are certain that that figure will continue rising,” he said. “We will surely find more bodies.” More than 4,000 other people were injured in the temblor and 231 individuals are listed as missing, the defense chief said.   -Latin American Herald Tribune

Donate to Catholic Relief Services  UNICEF   CARE   Cruz Roja Ecuatoriana  American Red Cross  Samaritan's Purse

Read article in The Huffington Post on how funds will be used

Centenares de jóvenes ayudan a @CRUZROJAZUAY realizando kits para #AyudaHumanitaria #Sismo #Terremoto #Ecuador pic.twitter.com/fdPyvXzIVj

— CRUZ ROJA ECUADOR (@cruzrojaecuador) April 20, 2016

Here is a prayer from Catholic Relief Services for all of those affected by the earthquake in Ecuador.  Download the prayer from the CRS website.  Descargue oración por todos los afectados por el terremoto en Ecuador