The health crisis is hitting the strongest economies and democratic systems. Thousands of families have run out of income and it seems that the road back to “normality” and long-awaited recovery will be long and full of uncertainties.

But what’s going to happen to the most vulnerable population? Millions of people live in countries where the health system is poor, lack social coverage, and do not have the financial resources to deal with the crisis.

Places where access to food, health services and decent employment were already, even before COVID-19, a challenge for most of its population. The questions about the future asked by families in these countries today remain the same as yesterday, but unfortunately the answers are now much more complex and difficult to find. According to World Bank data, COVID-19 is likely to cause the largest increase in global poverty since 1998, which will drag 49 million people into extreme poverty by 2020.

CODESPA’s mission is to stand by those people who need it most, to understand the social challenges that arise from this situation and to propose solutions adapted to the circumstances in which they live. Today, more than 80,000 people benefit from the foundation’s work by participating in its projects, which take place mainly in rural environments in Latin America, Africa and Asia. All these people are being affected by COVID-19, which impact is felt in their homes and productive activities.

The World Food Program (WFP) has warned that, as a result of covid-19, 265 million people could be pushed into acute food insecurity , – that is, serious feeding problems – almost doubling last year’s total.

The meaning of CODESPA’s mission is more important in this emergency, so that the most vulnerable families in these countries can access food and other basic products in this new context of greater economic fragility.

Our commitment so that no pantry is left empty

The income of the families participating in our projects depends fundamentally on their daily work. They live up-to-date and have virtually no savings. The slowing of economic activity has jeopardized their ability to buy food, medicines and access to other basic services, such as light and water. In addition, in rural areas, as an effect of the emergency and lack of supply, the prices of basic products (seeds, flour, salt, milk, as well as hygiene products, etc.) are rising.

To prepare rural populations to have the essentials during the emergency period, CODESPA has begun to provide liquidity through the cooperatives and savings groups with which it works. We will make available to families 80,000 euros through interest-free loans, for emergency expenses and food purchases.

The livelihood of small agricultural producers

Supporting small producers to maintain their agricultural activities is vitally important in mitigating the effects of the pandemic on the most vulnerable population and ensuring their access to food. Providing seeds and tools for planting in affordable conditions, will allow them to maintain their crops and obtain the essential income to live.

Thanks to the credit to zero interest and a year of maturity, which they will access through cooperatives with which we work, peasant families will be able to acquire those necessary inputs for planting (seeds, tools, fertilizers…) under very advantageous conditions. More than 80,000 families will have access to these credits aimed at filling their food pantries.

Prevention to protect families

Most of the population we serve lives in remote areas and do not receive hygiene and sanitation information that allows them to prevent the disease and know how to act in the event of being infected.

Our field teams are explaining adequate disease prevention, hygiene and distancing measures. Having limited its movements, CODESPA is using other systems to maintain smooth communication with families, through SMS sending platforms, as is the case of Emilpa, Whatsapp or slots in municipal radios in indigenous languages.

Almost 4,000 people have already received information related to the health emergency and on the evolution of the situation (curfew, market schedules, etc.). We also disclose government aid programs and how to access them through their municipalities.

Join the #ningunadespensavacía challenge

Access to essential food and goods is 100% indispensable for families. Our goal is to achieve 50,000 euros more to meet the needs of families in the coming months. Your donation is vital to ensure that no pantries are empty.

Donate!

What will we achieve?

Multiply mass awareness campaignsin rural communities to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

Increase the number of microcredits that guarantee more liquidity to families, intended for necessities.

Provide basic grains, fertilizers and technical assistance to guarantee the next harvests of the farmers.