2023-07-23 07:47:05
As a signal once morest global hunger and the devastating effects of the climate crisis, over 3,000 church bells will ring for five minutes on Friday, July 28 at 3 p.m. throughout Austria.
Vienna (OTS) – The climate crisis with its devastating effects is one of the main reasons for global hunger. In Austria, too, we are currently suffering from the heat and devastating storms, but for people in the Global South the effects of the climate crisis are even more dramatic – namely threatening their existence,” says Caritas President Michael Landau.
The ringing of 3,000 church bells throughout Austria is intended to draw attention to this injustice and the fight once morest global famine.
Landau: “We have enough! We have had enough of poverty and hunger in the world! Today our appeal is more important than ever: we must not forget the millions of people who are increasingly affected by hunger around the world. We must fight for a future together without hunger – now.”
Hunger in Africa is increasing – climate crisis as a driver
According to the latest figures from the FAO, 735 – 783 million people worldwide suffer from hunger, which means that almost every tenth person in the world is affected. “We see here a standstill in many regions and even a growing number of people suffering from hunger in Africa. In many African countries, there has been an absolute state of emergency for months. During my last visit to northern Kenya, I saw the extremely dry soil for myself, which had hardly been able to absorb any rain for years. It is a ground where nothing can grow and where no cattle can find anything to eat. The drought has destroyed the livelihoods of so many people,” says Caritas Foreign Aid Secretary General Andreas Knapp.
The climate crisis and the associated extreme weather events and environmental disasters are exacerbating hunger worldwide. “And there is a glaring injustice: Although rich industrialized countries cause the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions and are thus driving the climate crisis, it is precisely the poorest countries that suffer the most from the effects. In Europe, including Austria, we therefore have a clear responsibility to create more climate justice in the Global South. This is the only way to combat global hunger in the long term,” appeal Landau and Knapp.
Participate in the bell ringing
The ringing of the bells is not only intended to remind people that people are dying of hunger every day, but also to create a common sense of responsibility for this injustice and to call for commitment in the fight once morest hunger and climate crises. “The situation is dramatic, but not hopeless,” emphasizes Landau. “It is time that we not only talk regarding the hunger and climate crisis, but also take action once morest them.”
We are therefore happy regarding any support with ringing the bell, whether with the bicycle bell or cowbell. If you want to draw attention to the campaign via social media, you can, for example, post a video of your own bell ringing or the church bell in town, with #BellsAgainstHunger.
Caritas: help once morest hunger
Caritas in Austria is already implementing a wide range of measures to combat hunger. In acute emergency situations, people are provided with food packages and clean drinking water, with financial aid they can bridge periods of drought and absorb price increases.
For a long-term improvement in the nutritional situation in affected regions, smallholders are supported with sustainable agricultural training courses and projects to reduce harvest losses despite changing weather conditions and thus to be less dependent on external help.
Women, children and the elderly are also particularly affected by the effects of the climate crisis. Malnourished small children are taken care of in baby feeding centers and older children in the schools with daily warm meals. In women’s group projects, Caritas and partner organizations support women in generating their own income and being able to provide for their families by selling their own products.
These services make an enormous difference to the people they reach – but much more is needed. Each individual can contribute to creating a world without hunger.
Help us to help! With only 40 Euro a family in northern Kenya can provide themselves with food for a month. First Bank | IBAN: AT23 2011 1000 0123 4560 | BIC: GIBAATWWXXX | Password: Hungerhilfe or donate online at www.caritas.at/hunger.
Questions & contact:
Caritas Austria
Tina Neuerthal
Head of Public Relations & Press Officer
+43 676 7804589
tina. newertal@caritas-austria.at
www.caritas.at
1690098899
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