Tearfund | Coronavirus and hunger will adversely impact poor children NZ aid agencies warn

Thirteen NZ aid organisations are warning that children in low-income countries will be the most affected by the global pandemic and hunger, and they are encouraging Kiwis to help resource their global neighbours to deal effectively with the situation. The release today of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World by the UN has prompted the call to action.

The report estimates that between 778 to 828 million people may go hungry this year. While it is hard to predict, a preliminary assessment suggests that Covid-19 may add between 83 and 132 million people to the total number of undernourished in the world.

Covid-19 is compounding the situation and threatening to unravel decades of progress towards the reduction of extreme poverty. The more we can do now to reduce the impact the better, says Ian McInnes, Council for International Development Chairperson and Tearfund CEO.

Extreme poverty had been reduced to about eight per cent of the world’s population, but with Covid-19 now already well established in many low-income countries, McInnes says, “without swift action, we will very likely see a rapid return to historic levels of poverty. With fractured food markets and rising unemployment, hunger levels and the numbers facing starvation are rising”.

According to UN researchers, the pandemic could see a further 395 million people plunged into extreme poverty. Save the Children and UNICEF say a further 86 million children could fall into poverty by the end of 2020 alone.

“People here have looked after their neighbours and the most vulnerable people in New Zealand,” says National Director of World Vision New Zealand, Grant Bayldon. “Now it’s time to help our global neighbours, who have been hit harder than us by this crisis. Our most essential work right now is getting food and supplies to those in need, especially in refugee camps. Donations from Kiwis will support that work.”

Bayldon says we haven’t seen a disaster of this magnitude in recent history. “This is unlike a natural disaster because its impacts are not confined to one region, this is widespread and prolonged.”

McInnes says, “Children are the most dependent and vulnerable in any society. In low-income countries more will be needed to protect them, not only from the virus itself but also from the downstream effects like a food security crisis that will significantly impact them more than those in higher-income countries.”

Kiwis can play a part in ensuring that children are properly supported and that the gains made in fighting poverty in recent years are not lost, by giving to an organisation working with children.”

Adra CEO, Denison Grellmann says, “In low-income countries, there aren’t the social welfare safety nets that we have access to or the advanced health systems. Sanitation and social distancing are more challenging if you’re living in a refugee camp or a crowded urban slum. As a result, children are at greater risk of losing a parent or caregiver which can leave them destitute.”

Lockdowns have also severely impacted children as parents have not been able to earn a living and families have been faced with being evicted because they can’t pay their rent, he says.

The thirteen agencies are;

Adra
Caritas
CBM
Child Fund
Hagar,
Hope St
International Needs
Orphans Aid International
The Salvation Army
Save the Children
Tearfund
VSA
World Vision

What our partners have been doing globally during Covid-19

Tuesday, 30 June 2020 — Rachel Vince

In New Zealand we are fortunate to have the healthcare we need to get through a pandemic like Covid-19. Other places around the globe are not. Because of the generous support of Kiwis like you we've been able to reach hundreds and thousands of vulnerable people.

My experience living in a refugee camp – “I still get nightmares”

Monday, 22 June 2020 — Rafique-Rohingya Refugee

Read the first-hand account of a former Rohingya refugee who lived in a refugee camp for 18 years. In 1991, Rafique, his parents and his baby sister, fled Myanmar with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They now live peacefully in New Zealand but his experience still haunts him.

A Decade in Ethical Fashion

Wednesday, 20 May 2020 — Ally Turner

Think back 10 years and picture your wardrobe. Choker chains were back in business, cardigans had moved from your nana’s wardrobe to your own and jeggings were rearing their somewhat questionable head. While those trends have come and gone, another trend that has been growing over that time has been towards ethics in the fashion industry. On day one of this series, Ally Turner from Baptist World Aid Australia is here to tell us more about what brought about that change... read on!

Covid 19 and Refugees – When Self-Isolation is a Privilege

Tuesday, 07 April 2020 — Victoria Hanna

There are an estimated 1.7 billion people around the world are in isolation today. But what about the people that are unable to self-isolate? The homeless, the unwanted, the refugee. What will happen to them?

“They came suddenly, at night. It was a Friday.”

Thursday, 13 February 2020 — Medair

Rahim* always dreamt of becoming a doctor. As a child growing up in a small village in Rakhine State, in western Myanmar, he observed his uncle – a doctor – and decided he wanted to follow in his footsteps. However, Rahim and his family were forced to flee, leaving all their possessions behind due to the Rohingya crisis, and it seemed his dream of becoming a doctor was far from ever coming true.

A Biblical Lens on Mozambique

Friday, 17 May 2019 — Sean du Toit

When disasters like the Mozambique cyclones strike, we can find ourselves feeling overwhelmed and disheartened by the scale of human suffering. Our Restore cause is based on the biblical belief that we are called to respond with compassion to those in need and that we have a duty to seek 'shalom' in this world. Often, this can seem like a discouraging and overwhelming mission – but we believe that we are called to work towards the redemption of this world here and now. We also believe that ultimately, we will see redemption completed through Jesus.

Recent posts

What you need to know about our partners part 2: Helping in a disaster without harming

Wednesday, 21 October 2020

Imagine being caught in a moment of crisis—pushed beyond your ability to cope. You are swept up in circumstances outside of your control, left vulnerable, overwhelmed and in need of help, but you don’t know where help will come from. Tearfund hears the cries and responds to disasters through local partners to meet the immediate needs of people. Tearfund also works with the community to help people build back their lives in a sustainable way. What’s important is the people we serve are protected and treated with dignity.

Six authentic ways to be generous and not judgemental

Friday, 16 October 2020

As Christians we are called to live generously, not putting our hope in things but in God. He is the only one who can judge us. It’s a balance of enjoying the things God gives us, being generous, doing good, and not chasing riches. Here are six ways you can be generous and not judgemental.

Outworking faith through advocacy

Wednesday, 14 October 2020

Rosie Paterson-Lima has always had a heart for people, especially people less fortunate than herself. She was exposed to poverty from a very young age. It impacted her so much that she dedicated her life to helping bring people out of their situation and into their God-given potential. She became an advocate for Tearfund in 2010 and is now working for Tearfund as a Programmes Specialist.

TJC as easy as 123: Three reasons why you should attend The Justice Conference

Tuesday, 13 October 2020

The Justice Conference gives you a platform to learn about different justice issues and a chance to see how other people live out justice, so you can learn, advocate and do justly yourself! Here are three reasons why you should attend!

Related posts

Recent posts