SEPTEMBER 4, 2020 | 11:15 A.M.
SPRINGFIELD, MO. Convoy of Hope staff around the world continue to courageously serve the most vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the virus continues to affect each of us, low-income communities are experiencing the most severe fallout from the virus.
Travel in a number of the countries where Convoy of Hope works is limited, and we are finding creative solutions to ensure that we can serve as many people as possible. Children are still being fed, women are still being trained, thousands are still learning how to grow better crops, and disaster survivors are still being helped.
Thanks to the support you provide for our international teams, Convoy of Hope is doing incredible good in these incredibly trying times.
Individuals served: +1 million
Meals served: +18 million*
Number of Countries served: 31
Masks distributed: 237,800
Hygiene kits distributed: 26,902
WASH training participants: 64,554
Churches, organizations & operational partners: 1,156
Communities served: 826
*Includes meals distributed through Convoy of Hope’s Children’s Feeding initiative.
AUGUST 13, 2020 | 4:15 P.M.
SPRINGFIELD, MO. Convoy of Hope’s response to COVID-19 and Tropical Storm Amanda got a boost this week by an air shipment of products delivered with the help of the U.S. Southern Command. In partnership with the U.S. Embassy of El Salvador and the People Helping People Network, Convoy’s local team was able to receive more than 60,000 lbs. of food and hygiene supplies.
COVID-19 and its impact on the economy of El Salvador are causing food shortages across the country, hitting low-income families especially hard. Despite a strict lockdown, cases of the virus continue to climb.
In an article published by the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador, Ambassador Ronald Johnson said, “This donation is an indication that the ties between the U.S. and El Salvador go beyond government to government relations. U.S. NGOs like Convoy of Hope and People Helping People, are also carrying out impactful work on behalf of El Salvador.”
Relief delivered for the people of El Salvador included: rice, sugar, powdered milk, dehydrated potatoes and fruit, canned goods, instant soups, and more. The delivery of food is expected to serve nearly 30,000 people in the coming weeks.
The value of partnership is central to Convoy of Hope’s mission to feed hungry people. By working together, tens of thousands of people are receiving help. Without your support, we wouldn’t have the food to send. Thank you for continuing to care, and give as we continue to serve the people of El Salvador.
AUGUST 11, 2020 | 4:50 P.M.
SPRINGFIELD, MO. INTERNATIONAL COVID-19 RESPONSE
Individuals served: 802,995
Meals served: 16,375,909*
Countries served: 31
Masks distributed: 237,300
Hygiene kits distributed: 21,247
WASH training participants: 52,489
Churches, organizations & operational partners: 1,145
Communities served: 790
Below is a report from each of our regions regarding our response to COVID-19:
Africa – The closure of churches in Togo has created a crisis for local pastors whose livelihood normally comes from weekly church offerings. This week, the team in Togo distributed dry food rations to 200 pastors in the east central region. Distributions in Ethiopia to children in our strategic feeding program continue through our local partners.
Asia Pacific – Metro Manila was placed under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine. The government found it a necessary step to relieve exhausted frontline medical associations and to decrease cases of COVID-19.
Eurasia – In Sri Lanka, our partners have been able to provide two weeks’ worth of food for 1,000 families. A majority of these families are headed by daily wage earners who, as a result of the lockdown, have had no means of earning money.
Europe – Convoy of Hope Europe held distributions in Slovakia, Bulgaria, and the cities of Bilbao and Zaragoza, Spain. People in five additional Spanish cities were served through our ongoing partnership with Fiet Gratia.
Latin America & the Caribbean – Our teams in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Honduras are preparing to feed more than 1,700 families in the next few weeks. In addition, a cargo flight sponsored by the U.S. military will carry more than 45 pallets of product to San Salvador this Saturday. This product, in combination with more than 2,000 hygiene kits delivered by United Airlines, will help us serve hundreds more families affected by the pandemic in El Salvador.
Oceania – Convoy of Hope Australia continues to supply masks to people around the country. There has recently been a large uptake in mask requests from the state of Victoria, which is experiencing a strict lockdown and requiring masks to be worn for the next six weeks.
*Includes meals distributed through Convoy of Hope’s Children’s Feeding initiative.
JULY 29, 2020 | 2:15 P.M.
SPRINGFIELD, MO. Our team in the Philippines has been working relentlessly to make sure those across the islands are cared for during the COVID-19 pandemic. They created the video posted here to share the good work they’ve been doing during these trying last few months.
INTERNATIONAL COVID-19 RESPONSE STATS
Individuals served: 742,667
Meals served: 14,305,024*
Countries served: 31
Masks distributed: 235,160
Hygiene kits distributed: 20,897
WASH training participants: 48,985
Churches, organizations & operational partners (to date): 1,120
Communities served: 805
Below is a report from each of our regions regarding our response to COVID-19:
Africa – Distributions of food and hygiene kits continue in Togo and Kenya. The team in Tanzania was busy this week providing COVID-19 awareness and WASH training to new participants in our Women’s Empowerment and Agriculture programs, as well community leaders from various sectors. The team also purchased two thermal scanners for a local college.
Asia Pacific – Several Convoy of Hope program centers in Bicol and Mindoro are piloting a community kitchen approach that will cater to elementary schools and daycare centers. This is a creative way to feed children despite schools being shut down.
Eurasia – Lockdowns in Nepal have been eased, but domestic travel from district to district remains banned until the middle of August. Projects in Nepal will slowly begin again in accordance with government restrictions and suggested safety measures.
Latin America & the Caribbean – The COVID-19 response in El Salvador decreases as government restrictions are lifted and the team is able to reinstate regular Children’s Feeding program activity. Vitamin and hygiene kits have been delivered to many communities in Honduras. Because of the closure of schools, Children’s Feeding participants in Guatemala are receiving regular take-home rations. The team in Nicaragua continues to distribute emergency food rations. In Puerto Rico, an amazing partnership with a local food bank will provide at least another month’s worth of food to distribute. These distributions will continue along with Convoy of Hope’s drought response in the region.
Oceania – Distributions continue across communities in the region.
*Includes meals distributed through Convoy of Hope’s Children’s Feeding initiative.
JULY 20, 2020 | 4:45 P.M.
SPRINGFIELD, MO. Convoy of Hope began working in El Salvador in 1998 after Hurricane Mitch devastated the country. While continuing to aid affected Central American countries in the wake of recurring natural disasters, Convoy of Hope launched the Children’s Feeding initiative in El Salvador in 2007. We’ve been spreading hope there ever since.
Despite the hardships brought on by COVID-19, Convoy of Hope is committed to feeding the children and families in our Children’s Feeding program. Each of these 300,000 lives are important, and we want to make sure they are well-fed with bright futures ahead of them. Much thought goes into the types of food we send to each country. We also value the feedback we get from each program, since it helps us know what kinds of food we should send to each location.
“Out of the soup mix that is donated, our beneficiaries prepare different recipes,” says Winny Menéndez, National Director for Convoy of Hope El Salvador. “If they do not have many ingredients to work with, they only add water. But they also prepare it with herbs we use for cooking, such as chipilin or mora, or they add chicken. The children love it!”
Another favorite ingredient in our El Salvador program are dried peaches. This versatile ingredient is blended and used in drinks, jams, cooked in a regional dish called "dulce de panela," or just eaten as-is. “This is very helpful for them because they can't afford to offer a drink along with the meal, so the dried peach adds a great value to the meal and children really enjoy it,” says Winny.
Convoy of Hope’s commitment to the children of El Salvador is unwavering. Thank you for helping us continue to feed these amazing kids.
