World Food Program USA Blog

Leaving for Kenya

I can't believe that I am getting ready to go to Kenya. The first leg of the trip, from Detroit to Amsterdam, starts in less than two hours! I have everything that I need. Now I just need to relax and get ready for this amazing journey. Before I close this short entry, I must add a thought on what I want to get out of this trip. Mainly, I want to see the WFP programs in action. I want to share what I see with people in my community. I hope that I can raise awareness and create a sense of urgency.

-Julie Schafer
WFP Committee of Indianapolis

Kenya: Here We Come!

This evening, my plane will leave Washington, DC as I begin the 22-hour journey to Nairobi, Kenya. By the time we arrive in Kenya, it will be Saturday evening, my internal clock will be off by 7 hours and I will be somewhere completely new. Other than jetlag, I am not sure what to expect of this trip to the field.

From October 31- November 7, I will learn about the work of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Nairobi and Mombasa. We will visit sites with School Meals programs, HIV/AIDS and Nutrition Programs and Food for Work programs. I keep hearing that the opportunity to travel with WFP, and see firsthand how their assistance positively affects communities, will change my life. I think the most accurate way to describe this trip is to say that we are all about to start on a journey, one that will go on long after we return home.

With World AIDS Day on the horizon, I have been researching the role of food in addressing the needs of people with HIV/AIDS. While in Kenya, we will even have the opportunity to visit HIV/AIDS clinics with food distribution points. The idea is so simple: a patient diagnosed with HIV/AIDS can lead a productive life through a combination of treatments, such as the use of anti-retroviral medications (ARVs), which are becoming increasingly accessible to patients.

In recent years, the link between food and ARVs has become more apparent, and research suggests that we need to provide both treatment and food. Food is important for a variety of reasons. First, often times the medications are too strong to take on an empty stomach. In this instance, WFP can provide food as a supplement in partnership with another agency or organization that provides ARVs. The benefits of food are great. Patients are more likely to take their medications and comply with doctors recommendations if they have food in their stomachs to handle the strength of the medications. Second, without food, malnutrition takes root and the risk of contracting other infections such as pneumonia or tuberculosis increases. A person’s ability to lead a healthy life deteriorates. This is why WFP provides food as an intervention.

This is where our trip to Kenya comes in. I can do all the research in the world, write as many posts as possible and try to understand these programs, but it won’t be clear until I really see what I’m talking about. Next week I hope we can bring the blog alive with images, video and text to bring you, the reader, a little closer to the field and the people we will be learning from. The seven delegates of this trip will be blogging about our trip and we hope you will leave us questions and comments.

Kenya: here we come!

-Jessica Alatorre
Outreach Associate
Friends of WFP

Friends of WFP/ WFP Committee Program Visit to Kenya

Tomorrow morning I will board a plane from St. Louis and embark on a life changing journey. I am joining members of Friends of WFP on a trip to Kenya. We will arrive in Nairobi on Saturday, October 31 and return to the U.S. on Sunday, November 8. This is the first time I am traveling outside of the U.S. and I am so excited!

I first contacted Friends of WFP earlier this year and told them that I was interested in volunteering for the organization. Since then I have gone through the two month orientation and have started planning events in the St. Louis area that are geared towards fighting global hunger. My passion for feeding those less fortunate than myself has led me to the point that I am at today and I look forward to continuing to try to make a difference on the global level.

I currently attend Webster University in St. Louis and am working on a degree in International Relations with an emphasis in Refugee Studies. I plan to one day work for the United Nations. When I first learned of the opportunity to go to Kenya, I knew immediately that I would do whatever it took to be a part of this wonderful experience. I was soon in touch with a member from the Zonta Club of St. Louis. The Zonta Club is an organization that works together to enhance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. After speaking with the Zonta Club, I was informed that I would be receiving the Individual Enrichment Award to pay for my flight to Africa. I am so thankful that I have been given this amazing opportunity.

I cannot believe how fortunate I am to be able to take part in this excursion. I had a lot of planning to do that involved obtaining a birth certificate, passport, visa, and several…I mean several vaccinations in preparation for my departure. It was also highly recommended that I take Malarone, an anti-malarial, while I am in Africa. I was a little hesitant at first about this medication because I have been told that it gives you incredibly lucid nightmares. I took the first pill this afternoon and I will be sure to report back on the interesting dreams. Regardless of the side effects, this trip will be well worth it!

I have just finished packing and I cannot wait to meet the rest of the Friends of WFP staff and committee members. I will meet everyone in Washington, DC tomorrow afternoon and then we will board a plane for Amsterdam before reaching our final destination of Nairobi. Altogether with the layovers it will take us 24 hours to get there. Upon arrival, we will be taken to our hotel to settle in for the evening.

 The week ahead of me is going to be unreal. I am going to experience some of the worst conditions of poverty in the world. It will be intense and stressful, but it is something that I must see. I think that everyone should experience the reality of our planet as a whole. So many people in the U.S. take advantage of the fact that we live in the richest, most developed country in the world and neglect to realize that the vast majority of the global population lives well below poverty levels. Something needs to be done about this. We can make a difference!

I will be taking a journal with me to document my travels. I plan to continue to update this blog with experiences upon returning from Kenya. I look forward to sharing my experiences!

-Jennifer Armit
WFP Committee of St. Louis

 

House Hearing Focuses on Global Food Security

This morning, the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health held a hearing on U.S. efforts to promote global food security entitled "A Call to Action on Food Security: The Administration's Global Strategy." Friends of the World Food Program (Friends of WFP) Senior Advisor for Public Policy Rick Leach testified at the hearing as did several other food security experts from organizations including Bread for the World, CARE, the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa and the US Government Accountability Office.

One of the common threads that linked all of the speakers was the need for coordinated action among different government agencies. Because the issue of global hunger is so broad, it falls under the scope of various agencies whose actions often overlap. A coordinated approach would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. programs that fight hunger.

Leach spoke in support of the Roadmap to End Global Hunger, a comprehensive strategy to address global hunger that was developed by a coalition of 40 nongovernmental organizations, including Friends of WFP. The Roadmap focuses on four main pillars of assistance: emergency assistance, safety nets, nutrition assistance and agricultural development.

"Hunger takes many forms, from those devastated by hurricanes and disasters, to urban slum dwellers on the verge of destitution, to poorly nourished mothers and children, to smallholder farmers struggling to produce enough to feed their families and turn a profit," Leach said in his testimony.  "By integrating each of the categories outlined above, we will ensure that the strategy reaches these and other populations with the type of assistance they need."

New Message

Refugees will now be receiving food aid via text message: the United Nations World Food Program has developed a food aid through mobile phone system for Iraqi refugees in Syria, the first of its kind. Once the text message is received, the recipient can use the code in the text message as a food voucher at certain government shops. Not only does this allow for easier access to food, but also a greater variety of food.

“People will no longer need to queue at food distribution points or travel long distances to distribution centers,” said WFP Syria Country Director Muhannad Hadi. “They will also be able to have a more diversified diet, based on their own personal choices and preferences.”   The virtual voucher program is set to continue for four months and, depending on the outcome, could be extended even longer.

If the program does prove successful, WFP could change the framework of urban food support. While food is more available in urban settings, many people cannot afford it. The mobile voucher system would help meet the needs of city dwellers lacking funds for food. With 1.2 million Iraqis displaced in Syria and 130,000 of them receiving food aid from WFP, programs like these are extremely important.

SIM cards were donated by MTN, a mobile phone service provider, and information sessions were held for the 1,000 or so participants on how to use the program. More participants will be added after the first four months if the program proves successful.  Keep an eye out for updates as the pilot program begins this week!

What do you think?

Read more.

-Sara Thomson
 Outreach Intern
 Friends of WFP

The Philippines are Devastated by Numerous Storms

About a month ago, Tropical Storm Ketsana hit the Philippines with the heaviest rainfall in a single day in the country’s history.   This left 420 people dead and hundreds of thousands of people in desperate need of food assistance. The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) was one of the first organizations on the ground helping the Filipino people.  Please read my blog post from a month ago to learn more.
 
Since my first post about the first tropical storm, the Philippines has suffered a month of heavy rainfall, including a typhoon that hit last week.  According to the World Health Organization, about 1.5 million people are living in dangerous conditions due to floods.  WFP is transporting food and other supplies to the areas of Benguet and Wallace in the north-central Luzon area and is providing 5,000 tons of rice to 960,000 people. 

On a visit to the Philippines last week, WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran said, "The storms and torrential rains...have left the people of the Philippines facing one of the greatest challenges in memory."

As the Philippines suffers from some of the worst rainfall in its history, WFP is on the ground helping those in desperate need and getting ready to help the Filipino government move forward after these devastating natural disasters. 

-Brian J. Ward
Outreach Associate
Friends of WFP

Do you have a brilliant idea for the future of global health?

The folks over at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) have opened up an interesting essay contest. The Global Health Policy Center at CSIS is asking people to answer the question, “What is the most important thing the U.S. can do to improve global health over the next 15 years?”  Friends of the World Food Program encourages any interested reader to brainstorm ideas, write an essay and submit it to CSIS to help shape its global health reports.  There are two awards at stake: $1,500 total for university-enrolled students and $1,500 for non-students. The CSIS Commission on Smart Global Health Policy will choose the winners.

 

This essay topic makes me think about the importance of food and nutrition when addressing global health.  The critical links between food and health are being researched and understood more and more every day. 

 

World AIDS Day is coming up on December 1, making it the perfect time to talk about the importance of food in providing assistance to HIV/AIDS patients.  As anti-retroviral medications (ARVs) have become increasingly available to patients, the number of AIDS-related deaths has fallen.  This is the good news: greater access to medication means that more HIV-positive people can live longer and productive lives, ensuring that they are still able to support their families.  The flip side of this is that people infected with HIV/AIDS need both treatment and food.  Treatment compliance increases when patients take their medication in conjunction with food, because without food, the side effects from the medication can be too severe to take on an empty stomach.

 

In the past, we have also blogged about the links between undernutrition and a child’s potential for success.  In a country like India, where food insecurity is high, providing food for children through school meals programs is one way of breaking the cycle of poverty.  With malnutrition as a leading cause of death for children under five, food could not be more relevant when addressing the health of the world’s children. 

 

The future of global health could go in many directions, and we should be sure to include the role of food and nutrition as we generate health initiatives.  Hunger is more deadly than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. 

 

What do you think? Is it vital that we address the importance of food and nutrition in global health?

CSIS welcomes your thoughts.  They are looking for compelling, vivid essays that incorporate lessons from the classroom, the field and your own interest-fuelled research.  To learn more about how you can share your thoughts please visit the contest website.

 

In addition, CSIS is running a photography contest. The winning photo will be placed on the cover of the final report issued by the Commission on Smart Global Health Policy. 

 

-Jessica Alatorre
Outreach Associate
Friends of WFP

1,000 Miles: Running for Hunger

Tens of thousands of people run the New York City Marathon every year.  This year, one special volunteer will be running the NYC Marathon in support of the 1 billion people who face hunger every day around the globe.  On November 1, Evan Jurkovich will begin his 26.2 mile run through the five boroughs of New York City in support of Friends of the World Food Program (Friends of WFP).

Q: This year is the 40^th running of the NYC Marathon, and your first time running a marathon.  What makes this race extra special for you?

 

Evan: Being my first marathon does make this one special. But it’s even a bit more than that. Not only is it my first marathon, but it’s really my first major undertaking in my post-collegiate competitive running career. Training in college was one thing – there was a team, coaching, a more flexible schedule, athletic trainers. It was easier to push myself and stay focused. It’s a new challenge now with a full time job, coaching myself without the same resources, which almost makes it more rewarding.

 

And running for Friends of WFP certainly helps me get through the grind and stay motivated. It helps answer the question, “what am I running for?” – besides myself – that was so easily answered before.

 

Q: You have been training hard the last few months for the NYC Marathon. While some of your training must focus on the patience to just keep running, do you ever keep yourself going by thinking about the cause of global hunger you are running to support?

 

Evan: I do, and it helps to put more meaning behind my running. I’ve spent a lot of time on the trails and roads and you can’t help but think during that time. Sometimes it’s marathon daydreaming, but more often than not I return my thoughts to the cause I’m able to run for.

 

Over the years of running I’ve spent my time thinking about life and the things I care about and hope to do. It’s rewarding being able to coalesce my passion of running with other passions like world hunger, global poverty and education.  So during an hours-long run, it’s energizing to think about my running meaning more.

Q: Through appeals to friends and family, you have already raised over $1,000 for Friends of WFP.  How do you make the link between your run and giving for global hunger clear to your friends?

Evan: Yes! And a big thanks to them! Some might say it’s called “me bugging people so much they give in and donate.”

But really I think it’s been more about people recognizing something I’m passionate about – running – and using it to raise awareness about another passion – ending world hunger – and people are supporting me in that quest. And I’m grateful for that support.

Many people know I’m running the marathon and know how hard I’ve been training. I figured, why not use this exposure to help where I can?

My ideal situation would be that for every mile I ran, a dollar would come in. Trust me, I would run for a long time if that was the case. Many people don’t like running and think I’m crazy for doing it as much as I do. So I’ve been telling them, “I’ll do the running, you do the giving.”

It was my goal all along to find a cause to run for, and I’m so happy it worked out with Friends of WFP. My running and marathon training takes up a lot of my time and I’ve come to a point in my life where I want to give back more. During marathon training, I don’t have much time to give back, so being able to run for world hunger really helped fulfill my marathon experience – to make it about more than just me.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Evan: As I’ve prepared for the NYC Marathon I’ve noticed many other people running for causes, too. It’s great, and it’s a side to marathon running I really didn’t know existed until I stepped in. There are fast people, slow people, famous people and average people all using the personal sacrifices they’ve made for something bigger. That’s really what I think the marathon is all about.

This whole experience for me has been quite a journey. And I’m thrilled I’ve made that journey with Friends of WFP.

Upon completing his many months of training and the marathon itself on November 1, Evan will have run about 1,000 miles in support of ending global hunger. Friends of WFP thanks Evan for his time and commitment to  support the United Nations World Food Program (WFP).  If you would like to support Evan’s cause, he’s asking for a donation of $1 per mile.

To support his campaign, please go here. All proceeds go to Friends of WFP and support WFP programs around the world.

Read Evan’s blog to hear more of his thoughts as he prepares for the NYC Marathon.

-Jessica Alatorre

Outreach Associate
Friends of WFP

Greater gender equality can help reduce global hunger

The 2009 Global Hunger Index (GHI), released this month, tracks countries’ progress in reducing hunger. This year’s GHI found that, worldwide, hunger has decreased about 24 percent since 1990. However, hunger remains a serious problem in many parts of the world, especially in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where levels of hunger are classified as “alarming.” 

While the food and financial crises of the past several years have contributed to hunger problems in many countries, the GHI also shows that countries with the poorest hunger scores also have high rates of gender inequality.  Although gender inequality is a complex and challenging problem to address, the GHI finding presents an opportunity to develop more policies that jointly address hunger and gender inequality.

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has long recognized the important role women play in reducing hunger and increasing food security. It has included gender policies in its programming for over 20 years and continues a commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women as part of its long-term goals.  Examples of WFP’s emphasis on gender include ensuring that women benefit from its Food for Assets and Purchase for Progress programs, meeting the nutritional needs of expectant and nursing mothers and expanding activities that enable girls to attend school.

Friends of WFP is also working to promote a greater emphasis on gender in U.S.-funded international food and agricultural aid. The Roadmap to End Global Hunger and Promote Food Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2817), a House bill based on the Roadmap to End Global Hunger, recognizes women’s roles in agriculture and encourages gender analysis in U.S.-funded food and agricultural aid.  You can help ensure Congress passes H.R. 2817. Call your Congressional representative and ask him or her to support this comprehensive strategy to address global hunger.

-Kristin Cullison
Public Policy Intern
Friends of WFP

Ethiopia requests emergency aid for 6.2 million

Twenty-five years ago, more than 1 million Ethiopians perished in a severe famine caused by conflict, drought and other factors. Today, Ethiopia has requested emergency aid to feed 6.2 million people as they struggle to deal with a five-year drought and avoid another major crisis.

According to Mitiku Kassa, Ethiopia's State Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, the number of Ethiopians needing emergency assistance jumped from 4.9 million at the beginning of 2009 to 6.2 million today. In addition to drought, high food prices and the global economic crisis have made it difficult for many poor Ethiopians to access food. Although around 80 percent of the population lives off of agriculture, some 85 percent of Ethiopia's farmland has been damaged by bad farming practices and erosion.

The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) operates several food assistance programs in Ethiopia designed to improve the skills, education and productivity of the country's poorest people. WFP's School Meals program provides children with a nutritious daily meal at school, improving their concentration in class and increasing enrollment and attendance. The Food for Assets program reaches roughly 1.3 million Ethiopians each year, focusing on how to manage environmental resources to increase food productivity in areas where food is scarce.

Ethiopia is also one of the pilot countries for WFP's innovative Purchase for Progress (P4P) program. P4P allows WFP to purchase its food supplies locally from smallholder and low-income farmers. With a guaranteed buyer, farmers can produce more crops and earn more money, boosting the local economy in a way that benefits the entire community.

-Alli Bailey
Communications Assistant
Friends of WFP