Canadian Foodgrains Bank

Purpose

September 2022 – Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has dramatically aggravated the hunger crisis, which was already at record levels at the start of 2022; triggering disruptions of agricultural production, supply chains and trade that have raised food, fuel and fertiliser prices. Today, an unprecedented 345 million people are acutely food insecure, a 155% increase from pre-pandemic levels, with concerns that the number of food insecure people will grow. These estimates include up to 50 million people on the brink of famine and over 882,000 people facing catastrophic conditions across five countries: Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan, and Afghanistan. With GAC’s support, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB) is addressing urgent acute food insecurity amongst vulnerable populations in the Horn of Africa, including in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan. This project focuses on meeting the immediate food and nutrition needs of people experiencing acute hunger and malnutrition. Project activities include: (1) providing cash, vouchers, or in-kind food rations to address immediate food needs; (2) providing therapeutic and supplementary foods to boys, girls, and pregnant and lactating women; and (3) improving access to information to women and men from households experiencing acute food insecurity on sexual exploitation and abuse prevention.