World Food Program USA Blog

Cooperation from governments to bloggers can fight hunger in Haiti and around the globe

Today, it is bloggers who are the most important form of media for maintaining a consistent flow of information about hunger in Haiti and around the globe. Worldwide there are over 1 billion people suffering from hunger. We are in the midst of a global hunger crisis.

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Saving Haiti from Hunger and Desperation

Almost daily I am forwarded email messages from people in Haiti desperately needing help. I send these quickly to...

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Grassroots Fundraising for Haiti Relief Effort

In the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, everyone is trying to figure out how to be part of the larger support system for Haiti. One way to help Haiti is by supporting the United Nations World Food Program’s (WFP) relief operations. With this in mind, WFP Committee Leaders and general volunteers have been organizing fundraising events of all sizes around the country to raise money for WFP and support the relief effort in Haiti. Below is a sampling of these events. All events are open to the public.

Past Events for Haiti

Washington: On January 21, the WFP Committee of Seattle teamed up with a local band and host venue who donated their weekly concert door charge of $10 to Friends of WFP. They raised over $500.

Iowa: A Happy Hour for Haiti will be held at the Des Moines Social Club on January 28. The local WFP Committee of Des Moines will collect donations and recruit new volunteers.

Upcoming Events for Haiti

New Jersey: The WFP Committee of NYC has organized a play date at Monroe Café on January 29. They will have pizza, games and entertainment for kids. A $10/attendee donation is suggested – all proceeds will benefit Friends of WFP to support relief efforts in Haiti.

Texas: The WFP Committee of Austin has teamed up with a local restaurant for a night of live music on January 29.  The $10 suggested donation will benefit Friends of WFP.

Connecticut: This silent culinary auction will feature items donated by celebrity chefs and TV personalities, such as signed books by Molly O’Neill, Julie Powell and Daisy Martinez, dinner for four cooked by a private chef and dinner for four with Food Network personality Daisy Martinez. The daylong event has been featured in the New York Times’ blog about fundraisers for Haiti. The WFP Committee of Greenwich will be present to share information about WFP’s emergency operations in Haiti. All proceeds will benefit Friends of WFP.

Missouri: On January 31, a benefit concert featuring five bands will be held in St. Louis.  The $10 cover charge will be donated to Friends of WFP for Haiti relief efforts. This event is organized by the WFP Committee of St. Louis.

Florida: On February 27, this all-day event will feature music, food, crafts, a fashion show and a silent auction. A general WFP volunteer organized this event and proceeds will be split between Friends of WFP and The American Red Cross. Over 200 people are expected to attend.

More events for Haiti will continue to be announced, so watch our Calendar of Events to see when these events will be.

-Jessica Alatorre
Outreach Associate
Friends of WFP

Christina Aguilera and Muhammad Ali Featured in Haiti PSA

Multi-Grammy Award winner Christina Aguilera and sports icon Muhammad Ali are featured in a new public service announcement (PSA), which encouarges viewers to support the United Nations World Food Program's (WFP) emergency relief efforts in Haiti.

“I’m devastated by the toll that the earthquake has taken, and as a mom, I am especially heartbroken by the children and families affected,” said Christina Aguilera. “My goal for the PSA is to inspire as many people as possible to donate to the World Food Program so they can continue to feed the survivors in Haiti and move them from hunger to hope,” added Aguilera.

“The earthquake and the aftershocks in Haiti are among the worst tragedies of our lifetime,” Muhammad Ali stated. “I urge people from around the world to open their hearts and give anything they can to help the World Food Program's relief efforts in Haiti.”

On Tuesday, January 12, an earthquake ripped through the capital of Port-au-Prince. Since then, WFP has been on the ground, delivering emergency food assistance to disaster victims. WFP has delivered more than 13 million meals to over half a million people.

Watch the PSA.

Maria Reppas
Media Relations Manager
Friends of WFP

WFP at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland

The World Economic Forum started today in Davos, Switzerland, and will run until January 31. The forum gathers influential decision makers from around the globe to discuss solutions to some of the world's most pressing issues.

 WFP will participate in this year's meetings to ensure that hunger is high on the radar of global leaders. Along with a focus on the emergency in Haiti, WFP will concentrate on nutrition and the need for private sector involvement in developing innovative solutions to hunger.

WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran will be present for part of the gathering, and a WFP food aid storage tent will house a number of major meetings. WFP-led events will include a brainstorming session on affordable nutrition in developing countries, a nutrition summit and an update on WFP's work in Haiti.

Keep checking our blog for updates on WFP's activities in Davos, and click here for more information.

-Alli Bailey
Communications Assistant
Friends of WFP

From Turkana to Haiti

Observing the overwhelming support of people worldwide for relief efforts in Haiti has made me reflect on my reasons for being involved in the fight against hunger. In the fall of 2007 I had the opportunity to study and intern in Nairobi, Kenya. During my time there I was able to see many different parts of Kenyan society, from elite universities to middle class neighborhoods to slums of all sizes. My daily life involved traveling and working in each of these places, and I quickly grew accustomed to walking everywhere, taking matatus(privatized public transit buses) and observing the interesting combination of traditional Kenyan life and the impact of foreign cultures in Nairobi. I thought I had a pretty good grasp on what life was like in Kenya, until I went on an academic trip north.

During a 14-day trip, we drove from Nairobi to Lake Turkana through the lush Rift Valley, the craters of Marsabit, the endless Chalbi Desert and finally reached our destination. The further north we moved the number of people who were impacted by foreigners decreased. Almost no one spoke English and many had never seen Americans before.

When we finally arrived at Lake Turkana, we were amazed by the locals living in such a harsh environment. The lake itself is beautiful, yet houses many deadly bacteria as well as crocodiles. The surrounding landscape is rocky with very little plant life. We visited an island that was the home of a small population from the El Molo tribe. With so little plant life, they traditionally subsisted on fish.

 While wandering around with my guide, a 10-year-old girl, we walked past a pile of half-empty United Nations World Food Program (WFP) bags. I was shocked and surprised by this remnant of the United Nations in this almost untouched remote region. We asked the women what they thought of the food assistance, and they responded that they were healthier, explaining that few people had copper hair (a sign of undernourishment). It was at that moment that I realized the power of food aid and assistance. It stretches across the world to the most remote areas, and can truly impact the lives of millions of people. The fight against global hunger is not an easy battle, but it is important that we do not give up.

It is exciting for me to see so many people recognizing the magnitude of global hunger. I only hope that when Haiti does regain stability that this effort is not forgotten, and that people all over the world who go to sleep without food in their belly every night are able to somehow benefit from this surge in interest.

Learn more about WFP in Kenya.

In November 2009, a group of volunteers and staff from Friends of the World Food Program visited Kenya as well.  Go here to learn more about the trip.

-Katherine Stritzinger
Outreach Intern
Friends of WFP

Haiti: The Future Starts Now

Dear Supporter, WFP is reaching more people every day with nutritious food, such as high-energy biscuits. Photo: WFP/David Orr Videos - Port-au-Prince, Jan. 22 - True Heroes - Coordinating the Response I have just returned from Haiti, where I went to personally assess the situation on the ground, and to meet with those leading this incredible humanitarian relief operation. The depth of grief and the massive needs this earthquake has left in its wake were heart wrenching. Parts of the capital Port-au-Prince look worse than many war zones. What has unfolded is still an unbelievable reality for the people of Haiti. This is the most complex relief operation the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has ever launched. Haiti’s entire supply chain infrastructure has been devastated, and we have been faced with starting an operation from scratch. Our capacity to ramp up the operation is growing on a daily basis, and food is reaching people, even if we wish we could do more, quicker. We have delivered nearly 10 million meals to people in the capital and outlying areas isolated by the earthquake. Our teams are pushing out food supplies as fast as we can to the worst affected people through five land, sea and air corridors, giving top priority to the most vulnerable, especially women and children. None of us can count the human cost of this disaster, but generous action can help alleviate the suffering. For WFP to do its work, we’ll need support from people like you for many months to come, and will look to world leaders to assist Haiti at a level that no one had initially anticipated. Thank you for stepping forward so generously already - the people of Haiti need your continued support now more than ever. Sincerely, Josette Sheeran Executive Director United Nations World Food Program on behalf of Friends of the World Food Program

Hope for Haiti Telethon a Huge Success

On Friday night, celebrities like George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Dave Matthews came together to host the most widely distributed telethon in history. So far the telethon has raised over $57 million, and all proceeds will be evenly split between UNICEF, the Red Cross, Oxfam America, Partners in Health, the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund, Yele Haiti and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). 

The telethon was broadcasted on more than 25 major television networks as well as a live webcast. The show featured musical performances from performers including Madonna and Coldplay, while others shared stories from Haiti. Anderson Cooper of CNN periodically gave reports live from Haiti. 

The tragedy of the Haiti earthquake has called on the citizens of the world and we are seeing an incredible amount of people hearing the call to help Haiti. We must keep this momentum to help Haiti in the long run through reconstruction and development. 

Please visit www.friendsofwfp.org/donate to donate directly to Friends of the World Food Program. For more information on the telethon, visit www.hopeforhaitinow.org.

-Brian J. Ward
Outreach Associate
Friends of WFP

Tonight: Remember to watch "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon!

From 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm EST/PST tonight, over 100 of the world's biggest stars from film, television and music will participate in the "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon to benefit the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) as well as six other humanitarian organizations providing relief in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake.

WFP celebrity partners Christina Aguilera, Penelope Cruz, Drew Barrymore, Will Smith, Sheryl Crow and Wyclef Jean will appear.

The telethon will be broadcast on various television stations including ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CNN, BET, The CW, HBO, MTV, VH1 and CMT. Performances will include:

• Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting and Madonna in New York;
• Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Emeline Michel and a group performance by Keith Urban, Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles;
• and Beyonce, Coldplay and a group performance by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z and Rihanna in London.

Proceeds from the telethon will be split evenly among the seven participating organizations. So grab your friends and a good seat in front of the tv tonight and help bring hope to Haiti!

In Pictures: WFP Responds After the Earthquake in Haiti

It has been 10 days since the earthquake struck Haiti, affecting about 3 million people and leaving many of them hungry and homeless.  In the time since the earthquake, WFP has delivered almost 1.5 million food rations, equivalent to more than 4 million meals, to about a quarter of a million people.  In order to reach the most vulnerable people, WFP has placed a priority on reaching orphanages and hospitals.

In addition to providing humanitarian assistance on the ground, WFP is also the lead coordinator for logistics and telecommunications for the entire humanitarian community in Haiti.
   
However, sometimes the best way to understand the situation on the ground is through images.  WFP photographers in Haiti right now have been sending us these photos as they make their way through Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas. I hope they will help illustrate how WFP is assisting in Haiti right now.