20-12-02

Families on food parcels
Edinburgh MP shows solidarity with food crisis in Africa

John Barrett, the Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, and his wife Carol will be spending a week from January 3rd living on Red Cross food rations. They are one of five families across the UK taking part in the Families on Food Parcels Campaign which aims to show solidarity with the millions of people facing severe hunger in Africa and raise money for the British Red Cross Food Crisis in Africa Appeal.

The appeal will focus on five countries in southern Africa – Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Swaziland and Lesotho, and Ethiopia and Eritrea. A total of 26 million people are facing severe food shortages.

John and Carol, who are both 48, will be putting the excess of the festive season firmly behind them to live on a typical Red Cross food ration distributed during this kind of emergency.

John said, “I think it will be really tough. I can’t imagine what it is going to be like. The ingredients are so different to what I normally eat and it’s a little daunting. But I have to remember that this is just a week and there are people who have to live on this every day.”

As a member of the International Development Select Committee John was part of a fact-finding team who visited one of the affected countries. John said “I visited Malawi and I saw for myself the problems of the region. I never have to worry about when I next eat, but there are people in Malawi who don’t know where their next meal is coming from and it made me realise how fortunate I am.”

Each person participating will receive 2 kilogram of flour; 2 kilograms pasta; 500 gram white beans; 2 packs of dry yeast; 1 litre oil; 150 grams sugar; and 50 grams salt. Participants are allowed to add water and spices. They will be allowed to add water and spices but will also be able to include one piece of fruit and one portion of vegetables in keeping with what a person in Africa might buy.

Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive of the British Red Cross has just returned from Zambia where he saw the Red Cross relief operation first hand. He is leading the Families on Food Parcels Campaign and said: “Seeing people survive on the barest minimum every day really saddened me. The poverty, the HIV and the lack of food combine to make for daily, unending grind for most of the people there. But the Red Cross is making a difference for the most vulnerable. The food parcels here are quite simply saving lives, so, to that end, we have to keep remembering Africa. We have to keep giving.

Nick’s wife Helen and his teenage sons Alex and Tom are also taking up the week-long challenge. Nick commented: “We will gain just a small insight into what it’s like to depend on others for food and to feel hungry. I don’t imagine that this will be an easy or pleasant experience but for us it is only one week out of our lives. Meanwhile in Africa millions of people have already endured many months of hardship and are now facing a very bleak start to the New Year.

“I hope that our experience, and that of the other families taking part, will draw attention to the ongoing food crisis and encourage people to donate to our Food Crisis in Africa Appeal.”

Donations can be made to the British Red Cross Food Crisis in Africa Appeal on 0845 3077703 or at www.redcross.org.uk or write to British Red Cross Food Crisis in Africa Appeal, FREEPOST, London, SW1X 7BR.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• Photo opportunities include the delivery of the food parcels to the families by a local Red Cross volunteer.

• Numbers affected: Malawi 3.3 million, Zambia 2.9 million, Zimbabwe 6.7 million, Lesotho 650,000 and in Swaziland 270,000 (WFP figures). The UN and Ethiopian government say that 11.3 million people in Ethiopia are facing food shortages and in Eritrea WFP says 1m people are at risk, nearly 1/3 of the total population.

• The Red Cross’ appeal will get food, seeds, tools and farming equipment to vulnerable communities. The Red Cross, through it’s home-based care programme, is focusing on those affected by the HIV virus and hopes to reach a minimum of 1.3 million people this winter in southern Africa. The Red Cross will also reach more than 1m people in Ethiopia with food and seeds and tools.

• The other families are taking part live in Hull, Cardiff, Glasgow and London.

• Estimated number of people living with HIV/Aids (end of 2001): Zimbabwe 2.3 million, Zambia 1.2 million, Malawi 850,000, Lesotho 360,000, Swaziland 170,000. In Ethiopia 2.1m and Eritrea 55,000. (UNAIDS)