PWRDF to support Yemen emergency response with Foodgrains Bank

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund has today announced it is contributing $50,000 of its Canadian Foodgrains Bank equity to a food relief project to support vulnerable families in Yemen suffering from extreme hunger.

The project is led by Canadian Foodgrains Bank member ADRA Canada, and supported financially by the Government of Canada and fellow Foodgrains Bank members Development and Peace-Caritas Canada, Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada, Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, World Renew and The United Church of Canada.

“We are devastated at the news coming out of Yemen. The people of Yemen are enduring atrocities that no human being should have to live through,” says Foodgrains Bank Executive Director Jim Cornelius.

“Supporting the people of Yemen is important at such a time when there is near-famine in the country. PWRDF is glad to support this important project and to do so with Foodgrains Bank and other colleague church development agencies,” says Will Postma, Executive Director of PWRDF.

Hunger, disease and bombs are devastating the lives of millions of people as the war in Yemen continues into its fourth year. About 8.4 million people in the country are at risk of starvation.

Through the new project, 1,100 vulnerable families will receive vouchers that allow the families some sense of normalcy in how they select food for their families, and also supports local food vendors and their families. The vouchers are redeemable for salt, sugar, flour, oil and beans.

The families live in the Harib Alqaramish district of Yemen. The area has experienced extremely intense conflict, including airstrikes and frequent bombardment. Many homes have been destroyed.

ADRA Yemen has visited many of the affected families.
Click on each photo to read their stories.

Civilians are a frequent target in the wider conflict as well. Assaults on World Food Programme facilities in Yemen’s ports are another example of how innocent people are being made to suffer.

In early August, an air strike in Yemen hit a market, killing 40 people and injuring 60, with children on a bus among the casualties. Ordinary people in Yemen are also targeted by other means, including blocking of aid shipments, and refusals to allow imports of food. Providing emergency assistance within Yemen is difficult due to the ongoing conflict, and the refusal of combatants to allow for emergency assistance for civilians.

Give to PWRDF’s Yemen Emergency Response

Because this project is being funded through our equity in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, donations will be matched by Global Affairs Canada 4:1.

• Donate online to PWRDF’s Yemen Emergency Response
• Mail a cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd floor, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 3G2 indicating Yemen Emergency Response
• call toll-free 1-866-308-7973, indicating Yemen Emergency Response

Please download and share this Yemen emergency bulletin insert with your parishioners.