Cafod launches crisis appeal to help the hungry

Cafod has launched a World Food Crisis Appeal in response the threat of famine in many parts of the world.

Warning that up to 20 million people in East Africa are in danger of acute hunger after four years of drought, the charity announced its campaign to raise urgent funds to combat the crisis and reconstruct supply chains on 20 June.

“Even before the war in Ukraine started, the food system was in crisis and the impact of climate change was making it harder for those who grow most of the world’s produce to put food on their own plates,” said Cafod’s executive director Christine Allen.

“The effects of the Russian invasion are trickling down the already stressed food system, and the poorest are feeling it most acutely.”

Lebanon, still suffering from the effects of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, imported 80 per cent of its grain from Ukraine before the war and now faces a supply crisis. Many East African countries are in similar danger.

“This crisis was not inevitable and is a result of human action,” continued Ms Allen. “Firstly, the UK government and international donors must address the funding gap in East Africa. UK aid to the region has almost halved in the past year due to budget cuts.

“The root cause of the crisis must also be addressed, including tackling climate change, fixing our broken food system, and providing more funding to community level responses.”

Afghanistan also faces disaster after an earthquake killed over 1,000 people on Wednesday and upset fragile supply chains in its remote eastern regions.

More than 93 per cent of the country’s population suffer food insecurity, according to UN figures, and Cafod has been providing cash for remote villagers otherwise unable to buy food from local markets. Aid to the country has been hampered by international suspicion of the Taliban regime which seized power in August last year