SCIAF launches Hunger Appeal as people "killed by famine"

Darister, Credit: SCIAF

Source: SCIAF

SCIAF has launched a new appeal, sounding alarm on the world hunger crisis. "We're all facing rising food costs but the poorest in the world are in danger of being killed by famine," says SCIAF Chief Executive Alistair Dutton. SCIAF is the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund.

The UN has warned millions of people are at risk of hunger, malnutrition and famine with rising costs. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the effects of the climate crisis are among the contributing factors. Around the world, over 800 million people go to bed hungry every day.

The Horn of Africa, including South Sudan and Ethiopia, where SCIAF works, is facing its worst ever crisis. The UN has warned 15 million people will struggle with hunger in the upcoming year in the region. The number is expected to rise to 20 million by the end of the year without intervention. SCIAF's partners in South Sudan are reporting widespread suffering where extreme weather, political instability and global food issues have made access to food extremely difficult.

The appeal will raise funds for immediate lifesaving food and financial support when necessary. Also, to give access to the seeds, tools and training needed to grow food that is resilient in extreme weather.

SCIAF has provided a case study from South Sudan:

Darister and his wife Mary are on the brink of starvation. Darister is 48 and lives in Mundri, South Sudan, with his wife, Mary, and their ten children. There are 12 mouths to feed in a country marred by conflict, drought and famine. His small plot of land does not provide enough food, and so he was forced to turn to a river for an income. Darister works with Mary and his children all day, every day, collecting sand from a nearby river to sell to construction companies. It is back-breaking work, and cost Darister his sight from a waterborne disease. Mary adds that, "these days people are not buying the sand and it's making life very difficult; there are no customers now and we often go without food."

Link: www.sciaf.org.uk