Dame Caroline Spelman MP demonstrated her support for Christian Aid’s Appeal ‘Enough for Everyone’ this Christmas in Parliament.
The Meriden MP and Second Church Estates Commissioner met with representatives from charity to learn more about the appeal, which aims to raise much-needed funds for people experiencing hunger and malnutrition in South Sudan; in particular for mothers and children.
Earlier this year, famine was declared in parts of the country - the first time it has been declared anywhere in six years.
Although urgent humanitarian response helped to prevent it from spreading, more people are now facing extreme hunger than ever before with approximately 50% of the population still in urgent need of food. Families have often been forced to eat wild foods like water lilies and drink unsafe water in a desperate bid to survive.
For every pound the public give to the appeal, the UK Government will match it. This doubles the support for families struggling to feed themselves, meaning even more mothers and infants under-five in South Sudan will be saved from the life-threatening effects of malnutrition.
Dame Caroline Spelman said, “Since famine was declared in South Sudan earlier this year, Christian Aid has played a significant role providing life-saving aid and resources to thousands of at risk women and children facing hunger and malnutrition this Christmas.
“For that reason, I am proud to support their Appeal, ‘Enough for Everyone’ to raise vital funds to provide essential aid packages. I would urge the people of Meriden to consider donating to the appeal if they can”.
Simon Kirkland, Christian Aid’s UK Parliamentary and Political Adviser, said: “We are extremely grateful to Dame Caroline Spelman for supporting our Christmas Appeal. The situation is desperate and we welcome any donations that the people of Meriden can give. Just £5 could provide enough food for a family for four days, and £150 could provide ten families with fishing gear to get food rich in protein.”
Aid partner organisation SPEDP (Support for Peace and Education and Development Programme) in South Sudan is providing cash vouchers to people struggling with acute malnutrition so they can buy essential and healthy food in local markets to help their families recover. Without this support, hundreds of families wouldn’t survive.
All donations made to the appeal between 6 November 2017 and 5 February 2018 will be matched up to £2.7 million and will fund Christian Aid’s work in South Sudan.