1863 people at risk of food insecurity receive aid

• Save the Children conducts a project to reduce the impact of the emergency.
•  Beneficiaries receive exchangeable vouchers for food and non-food items.

24.07.2014. Managua, Nicaragua. Andrea Núñez-Flores Rey. 

1863 people, 1002 of whom are children, receive aid to address the food insecurity crisis caused by coffee rust, in the north of Nicaragua during July. The project of Save the Children aims to to improve living conditions of most affected children and their families, covering their basic needs and protection.

“In 2014, we have obtained less than 77 USD for the coffee production, while in 2011 we had 2,300 USD. This money is not an income at home, because with that we pay crop costs, meaning with 77 USD we do nothing. We have always been poor, although we always had food for the family, but not now”,affirms Salvador, a beneficiary of the project.

Plague of coffee rust has spread through Central America and its effects are very prejudicial, particularly in dependent families of coffee production. In Nicaragua, Save the Children works in 33 communities of Jinotega, San Ramon, La Dalia, Rancho Grande and El Cuá. 

"We make the last meal at 6 pm. Basically, we eat rice, tortillas and coffee”, explains Arsenia, Salvador’s wife. The beneficiaries of the project are the most vulnerable population whose livelihoods are threatened by the lack of income.

During July and August, beneficiaries are receiving vouchers exchangeable for food, as powered milk, corn, rice or oil and basic hygiene products, as body and laundry soap or sanitary towels.

In May and June, the beneficiaries received fertilizer to improve corn production and technical assistance to monitor their crop development. The aid through serves to avoid a possible food insecurity crisis, due to the shortage of food and income between the planting and harvest season.

"This support has been a blessing. We have no words to thank" says Salvador in a sincere and calm tone.