Following the World Health Organization declaration of COVID-19 as a worldwide pandemic, we are all experiencing a complete change in our lives.
This pandemic hits Venezuela in its worst moment, when 9.3 million of the population find themselves living in food insecurity according to the World Food Program of the United Nations (WFP). Furthermore, we face the complex situation of schools closing as a measure to prevent infection, while millions of children depend on school cafeterias. The current circumstances call us to invoke a more tenacious, active, and committed social solidarity for the common good.
“The consequences of food and nutritional insecurity in the population are observed in the following way: food security uncertainty, deterioration of diet quality, reduction of food consumption, hunger, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, weight loss in adults, acute malnutrition in children, malnutrition in pregnant and lactating women, increased illness, and death associated with malnutrition.” March 17, 2020.
Despite these difficult circumstances, our commitment remains stronger than ever. At Alimenta La Solidaridad, we continue working to keep our children protected and well nourished. There are more than 216 communities in all of Venezuela where our role to foster community organization can generate new initiatives to help contain the consequences of this crisis – we are taking hygiene and health measures to maintain operations in our community kitchens and continuing to feed more than 14,000 children daily. We are also disseminating information and suggestions for prevention, such as social distancing, appealing to our principal value, solidarity, to protect the most vulnerable groups: the elderly and the malnourished children.
Our organization also understands that our presence has much relevance based on the social and economic consequences that the entire world is facing and its effects on Venezuela. The complex humanitarian emergency will worsen. Social distancing and the lack of employment opportunities for the Venezuelan public will have a major impact on the food insecurity situation many families face, as well as the prevalence of child malnutrition.
That is why at Alimenta La Solidaridad we have decided to continue forward with our work, and at the same time invite all of our friends and allies to continue working together to protect ourmost vulnerable.
Alimenta La Solidaridad is eager to hear from you all how we might be able to expand our operations in light of this crisis and improve our community kitchens. Please contact us with any ideas or proposals – we appreciate it greatly.
Today more than ever we count on you! Solidarity is the force that unites us!
Roberto Patiño Director AlimentaLaSolidaridad.org
We organize and support communities to respond to the food security crisis.
We develop sustainable solutions to the food security and childhood development challenges of Venezuelan families
