Food Security Crisis Appeal

Note: The following appeal is now closed.  You can support our ongoing work by donating to the Canadian Red Cross

Worldwide, food prices have risen sharply in recent months due to increased demand and severe weather that has ruined crops and reduced production in some countries. According to the World Bank, the price of basic crops such as wheat, rice and corn have all risen, leading to an increase in overall food prices of 83 per cent in the last three years.

Food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa has many complex causes, including HIV/AIDS, climat change, environmental degradation, conflict, a huge increase in population size, and debt. Investing in long-term food security projects in Africa is key to fighting some of the root causes of hunger and malnutrition.

In response to this rising crisis, the Canadian Red Cross is appealing to the public for donations in support of a new five-year strategy from the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to scale up food security programmes in 15 African countries - in addition to Canadian Red Cross programs in several African nations.

Donations will support the people of sub-Saharan Africa who are in ever-worsening need of assistance to feed their families and themselves.

Along with helping the most vulnerable to meet their immediate basic needs for food, Canadian Red Cross believes that long-lasting solutions to fight hunger in Africa can only be found through a clear focus on long term investments both in terms of technical support to local staff and volunteers, and through better support and protection for local communities and their livelihoods.

The Canadian Red Cross, in addition to long term solutions, will always be prepared to respond in an emergency, such as the emerging in crisis in Ethiopia. A failure of rains, rising food prices and other factors have left more than two million people vulnerable, a number which is expected to rise. 

Canadians are urged to help ease the suffering of this global humanitarian crisis. Those wishing to support these activities are encouraged to contribute by calling 1-800-418-1111 or contacting their local Canadian Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked “Food Security Crisis Appeal” and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 400 Cooper Street, Suite 8000, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2H8.

In-kind donations of food, clothing and other items, while well intentioned, are not the best way to help those in need. There are tremendous processing and transportation costs involved in shipping these items to beneficiaries. Local purchases of food and clothing are more culturally appropriate and effective. Red Cross supplies can be purchased in the immediate area, thereby reducing transportation costs. Cash transfers to the affected region provide the optimum flexibility to our Red Cross colleagues so they can meet the most urgent needs.