How we can all stick together globally.
To all of you in our Hunger Project community,
I know we often say ‘I hope you’re well’, but right now I mean it more than ever! I am, like you, concerned about the safety and wellbeing of my immediate family, friends and the whole Hunger Project community. At the same time, I am focused on the impact that the spread of COVID-19 is having on vulnerable people who don’t have the same access as we do to healthcare, sanitation and reliable information.
I imagine you’ve received similar messages from other organisations, and I too wanted to take a few minutes to tell you about the proactive precautions we’re putting in place to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and continue The Hunger Project’s work globally.
Africa, Bangladesh, India and Latin America
I’ve been talking to our Country Directors in our Program Countries over the last few weeks. They have told me that the communities they work with in remote, rural areas are continuing to focus their energies on the end of hunger and poverty. They have overcome so many obstacles on their journey so far and have such incredible resilience and commitment.
Although we don’t know to what extent yet, we do know that COVID-19 will have some level of impact on our partners. So many people around the world and especially in THP communities rely on a small daily income to survive day to day – so staying at home is sometimes not an option, or instead a forced choice which puts them and their families’ lives at risk in other ways.
The core of how THP works is more relevant than ever: we will continue to empower our communities to access reliable information and needed services, and support their leadership and resilience in the face of challenges.
To read more about the new ways we’re working, read a longer update from me here.
What does this mean for our work ending hunger?
As you can appreciate, the process of ending hunger is an ongoing, daily task; it doesn’t stop for any kind of disruption. We appreciate your partnership, patience and compassion as we work out the best ways to continue creating possibility for millions of people around the world. Again, you can read more about what we’re continuing to do here.
In Australia
We remain completely committed to mobilising people and funds, and reporting to you about the impact of your investment. We will continue to hold our purpose at the centre of what we do, leverage every opportunity, think outside the square and create new possibilities for you and our village partners. Unfortunately, travel restrictions have meant that we have decided to postpone some of our immersion programs going in the first half of the year for the moment.
What can you do?
At The Hunger Project, we will be guided by our principles — particularly Human Dignity, Interconnectedness and Leverage – as we navigate this situation over the coming months.
We invite you to consider your role in ensuring that together we not only get through this trying time, but that we come out the other side stronger for it. If for you that means investing in the resilience of our communities during these challenging times, then you can do so here. Otherwise, we’d love to hear your thoughts, comments and ideas — please get in touch with our team, or via (02) 9222 9088 or mnoden@thp.org.
From all of the team, I wish you and your loved ones good health. Thank you for your ongoing commitment and leadership in solving one of the world’s biggest challenges, hunger.
Yours in ending hunger,
Melanie Noden
CEO
The Hunger Project Australia