Page 31 - Presbyterian Connection

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WINTER 2022
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN WORLD SERVICE & DEVELOPMENT
New Project Support
In Haiti, PWS&D is supporting farmers as they learn new techniques to im- prove food security and livelihoods.
Ukraine Response Continues
PRESBYTERIAN
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By Stephanie Chunoo, PWS&D Communications
Have you ever wondered how PWS&D helps people in differ- ent countries? Discover how your generosity is supporting several re- cently approved PWS&D projects.
Haiti
In Haiti, PWS&D is continuing work with farmer-owned coop- erative associations to improve food security and livelihoods. Farmers will learn about: protect- ing soil against erosion; better organic matter management; the use of cover crops to improve soil quality; how to produce organic fertilizers. All of this will help mitigate some of the effects of cli- mate change. In total, over 3,000 households will benefit from the project, led by Mennonite Central
Committee Canada through their local partner, Partnership for Lo- cal Development.
Ethiopia
Conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia continues to impact many, especially as fighting has spread to neighbouring Amhara and Afar regions. PWS&D is pro- viding emergency food assistance and psychosocial suppor t for three months to 1,800 households in Amhara region. This is possible thanks to Tearfund Canada and their local par tner.
Zimbabwe
The Binga District in northern Zimbabwe is currently experienc- ing high levels of food insecurity due to recent poor harvests. To respond to this vital need, PWS&D is supporting an eight-month
By PWS&D Communications
It’s been almost one year since Russia invaded Ukraine and the war began. Millions of Ukrainians were forced to flee their homes and required urgent humanitarian assistance.
Presbyterians from across Can- ada have responded generously to the need, allowing PWS&D to get financial support out the door very quickly. As of October 2022, over $815,000 has been given to support those affected by the on- going conflict in Ukraine.
PWS&D, through ACT Alliance, has provided support to Hungar- ian Interchurch Aid (HIA)—as- sisting those displaced within Ukraine, as well as those who had fled to Hungary. Refugees, and those internally displaced, have received food and shelter sup- port, as well as cash assistance and emergency mental health and psychological care.
Additionally, PWS&D provid- ed food assistance in the form of cash transfers to families in Ukraine, Moldova and Romania, through Canadian Foodgrains
food assistance project split over two phases—four months of food-for-work, followed by four months of unconditional food assistance. In the food-for-work
Bank member ADRA Canada, al- lowing donations to be matched 4:1. With priority given to the most vulnerable households, including women and single- headed households, children at risk, and gender-based violence survivors, families are able to use cash assistance to purchase food and other essential items.
Olha’s story
The assistance has been crucial for families like Olha Fomenko and her husband, who are trying to carry on with their humanitar- ian work in a Russian-occupied area of southern Ukraine. The couple takes care of people whom, Olha said “...have been abandoned even by their very own family.” They provide shelter, food and clothing.
The war has made it difficult to continue their work. Worried, Olha turned to HIA for assistance, and she received an aid package to help her care for those in need. Olha still worries about what to- morrow will bring, but she takes comfort in knowing she has sup- port from HIA.
phase, households will work on community projects and be pro- vided with a monthly food bas- ket to cover the majority of their food needs. This program is led
Food and shelter support remain key components of PWS&D’s response to the conflict in Ukraine. PHOTO CRED- IT: ACT ALLIANCE/ANDRAS HAJDU
Recently, PWS&D initiated sup- port to farmers through the Re- formed Church in Transcarpathia. Farmers will receive fertilizer that they are unable to afford, which will enable them to grow crops this coming year. This collabora- tion is possible with the organiz- ing support of former PCC mis- sion staff, David Pandy-Szekeres.
As the war continues, need re- mains high. PWS&D continues to work through local partners and ecumenical networks and coali- tions to respond. Thank you for your generous support!
by Mennonite Central Committee Canada and their local partner.
These projects are all receiving matching support through Cana- dian Foodgrains Bank.
Supporters Get Moving in Journey for Hope
By Emma Clarke, PWS&D Communications
This October, supporters through- out Canada laced up to make a difference in the first ever PWS&D Journey for Hope.
“As the nine Gale Riders set off to cycle 17 km,” commented Dar- lene Vandermey, leader of the team from Gale Presbyterian Church in Elmira, Ont., “God blessed us with beautiful sunshine. The most beautiful part was a trail beside the Grand River where we witnessed many geese and the beauty of na- ture that God gives in trees, plants and bushes.”
This new fundraiser builds on the passion of those who have biked, walked or done other ac- tivities over the past seven years with the Ride for Refuge, in sup-
where people put together as many puzzles as possible in two hours, played cribbage, ping- pong and Dungeons and Drag- ons. Another group set off along the picturesque White Mud Creek Ravine trail.”
A global crisis
The world is currently experienc- ing an urgent food crisis, triggered by climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and conflicts around the world, including the invasion of Ukraine. “Frankly, we were already falling short of meeting our food-security targets, prior to 2020. However, the situation is now critical,” testifies UN Gen- eral Assembly President Abdulla Shahid. One of the things that can help, he explains, is securing “sustainable agriculture.”
In Victoria, B.C., the Together in Motion team celebrated the beautiful weath- er as they got moving for food security.
Supporters in Edmonton, Alta., walked and played games to raise funds for the first ever Journey for Hope.
port of PWS&D’s food security and maternal, newborn and child health programs. This year, over $24,000 has been raised to sup- port PWS&D’s ongoing food se- curity response.
The Rev. William Ball, of the Edmonton Lakeland Amblers, reflected on the many ways peo- ple were involved at his church. “Most of us gathered at Day- spring Presbyterian Church,
PWS&D works with Canadian Foodgrains Bank and our global partners to help people in margin- alized countries rise above hun- ger. Together, we provide farmers with training and farm inputs so that families have more nutri- tious food to eat. We also provide emergency food relief in the wake of disasters. The funds raised through Journey for Hope support this essential work.
Passionate about
food security
This issue of global hunger hits close to home for Darlene, who shared, “The Journey for Hope
project of global food security is something everyone on the team and all those who donated to Gale Riders earnestly wanted to suppor t.”
The passionate response from riders, crafters and donors in the four provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatch- ewan), where the Journey hap- pened, is only growing. “First- timers expressed their enjoyment of the activities and willingness to repeat the experience,” comment- ed William, while in Victoria, B.C., Laura Kavanagh was encouraged by the “great team effort from everyone.”