Latest Stories
We need to stop talking about a Refugee Crisis
Since I was a child, I have always been interested in poetry. At the beginning of the Syrian revolution in 2011, which turned into a conflict in less than a year, I began reading the translated books of Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet.
When Hunger Strikes, Food Aid Bridges the Gap
Hunger is rising. This year, 350 million people in 79 countries—more than double pre-pandemic numbers—will be acutely food insecure. Amidst a hunger crisis, families need sustainable food solutions like learning how to grow nutritious veggies, but not all families have time to wait for gardens to grow.
Remember Tigray? The Crisis is deepening
As we first reported last April, in early November 2020, a violent conflict erupted in the Tigray region of Northern Ethiopia between two military forces—the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). It has now spilled into the neighbouring regions of Amhara and Afar. The result of a complex history of political tension and power struggles, this conflict triggered a widespread and escalating humanitarian crisis that is now in its third year.
What you need to know about the Tigray crisis
With North American news outlets still dominated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Ethiopia is falling off the radar. Here are a few critical questions about the situation answered.
UPDATE: Guatemala Hurricane Response
Partner communities in Guatemala continue to battle the chaos following two consecutive hurricanes, Eta and Iota. After weeks of destructive wind, rain, and floods, the communities in Cotzal and the community of Villa Hortensia II are only just starting to plan to return to rebuild. The partner communities of Acul, Rio Azul, and Xonca, on the other hand, have only seen minor damages; many families were on alert at the outset of Iota, and took precautions or relocated.
UPDATE COVID-19 and Partner Communities
See the most recent updates from all of our partner communities.
Surviving the Hunger Pandemic
The community of Char Borobila hasn’t been the same since the pandemic hit.
UPDATE: Mozambique Cyclone
Cyclone Kenneth hit the coast of northern Mozambique April 25, 2019. It’s the second cyclone to plague the country this year, with cyclone Idai having torn through the centre of the nation only six weeks earlier in mid-March.
Sending Rain to a World on Fire
In 2011, Syria burst into flames as a civil war ripped through the country tearing apart families, communities, and cities. The war has continued raging for the last six years with no end in sight. Over 220,000 people have been killed, most are civilian casualties—men, women, children—this war does not discriminate. More than 50 percent of the population has been internally displaced, with 4.8 million people fleeing as refugees. Two and a half million of those refugees are under the age of 18; this unbridled violence has put Syria’s children at extreme risk.
UPDATE: Hurricane Matthew Aftermath First Look
One week ago we held our breath as Hurricane Matthew bore down on Haiti and other Caribbean nations. Maybe its course would just skim the island, maybe it wouldn’t be as bad a projected, maybe families would be protected. Tragically, it’s worse than we thought.
UPDATE: Haiti Relief Only Just Begins After Hurricane Matthew
Hurricane Matthew was deemed category 4 (out of 5) at landfall earlier this week — the worst in a decade. The heavy rain and wind pushed over countless homes, turned streets into rivers, and caused widespread damage — some of the worst seen since the earthquake in 2010.
Confused about the Syrian refugee crisis? Here's a quick summary
Over the past week, we have been overwhelmed with images and news stories about hundreds of thousands of desperate Syrian refugees pressing into Europe, overflowing borders and causing a major upheaval. Our hearts were broken as the devastating image of a Syrian child face down on the beach circulated through our social media feeds. And it's got us asking a lot of questions.
9 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About Global Refugees
"Globally, one in every 122 humans is now either a refugee, internally displaced, or seeking asylum. If this were the population of a country, it would be the world's 24th biggest." This shocking statistic is just one thing I learned in the process of researching the state of our global refugees. Here are nine facts you probably didn't know about global refugees (fact 9 has some times for how you and I can help!).
FH Rwanda Intervenes To Help Burundi Refugees
Over 100,000 Burundians have fled their homes to escape pre-election violence in the capital Bujumbura. Violent protests began in April when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his intention to run for a third term in office. While the Burundian constitutional court has ruled that Nkurunziza is within his right to seek a third term, protests against his decision have continued to escalate.
A War-Torn Community In Burundi Begins To Rise
The people of Kabarore, Burundi are very much like you and me. They want to live peaceable lives and care for their neighbours. They want to send their children to school, earn a fair wage, eat healthy food, live in secure homes, and have hope for the future.
Burundians Flee Capital Bujumbura, Rural Communities Feel the Pressure
On April 30th we published a blog warning of rising violence in Burundi ahead of presidential elections in the summer. Below is the most recent update from the Food for the Hungry (FH) field office in Burundi. While violence is concentrated in the capital, Bujumbura, our rural communities are beginning to feel the impact as family and friends flee the capital to take refuge in the villages.
Emergency Update: Medical Container Arrives Safely In Kurdistan, Iraq
Over the past four years, we in Canada have watched with horror as the political crisis in Syria spiraled into uncontrolled chaos with no end in sight. In the past year, terrorist groups have spread violence from Syria across Northern Iraq, threatening the fragile stability of Kurdistan and resulting in an increasing number of refugee camps.