Canada’s response to the hunger crisis in Sub-Saharan Africa

Insecurity and climate change, compounded by disruptions in supply chains for food, fertilizer and fuel caused by the war in Ukraine, are driving a humanitarian crisis that is leaving millions of people in Sub-Saharan Africa in acute hunger. Populations in Ethiopia, Somalia and South Sudan are facing famine.

How Canada is helping

Recognizing the generosity of Canadians and their desire to assist those affected by the hunger crisis, the Government of Canada launched a matching fund on June 24, 2022.

This funding is part of the $250 million announced on June 23, 2022, to help address the global food security crisis. It builds on previous allocations of $514.5 million to address global food and nutrition needs in 2022. This funding will help humanitarian partners provide life-saving services, including food assistance, emergency cash and vouchers, and ready-to-use therapeutic food used for emergency feeding of malnourished children, as well as complementary water and sanitation and health interventions that support food security and nutrition outcomes.

How the matching fund works

The Government of Canada will match, dollar for dollar, donations made by individual Canadians between June 15 and July 17, 2022, to the Humanitarian Coalition and its members for hunger crisis relief in Sub-Saharan Africa up to a maximum of $5 million.

Global Affairs Canada will transfer the matching funds to the Humanitarian Coalition, which will in turn allocate the funds among its members based on criteria such as their capacity and presence in the affected region.

How Canadians can help

You can donate safely online at Humanitarian Coalition’s Hunger Crisis. Make a donation between June 15 and July 17, 2022.

If you want to make a donation by cheque, make it payable to the coalition member. Do not make your cheque payable to an individual or to the Government of Canada. If you want to make a donation online, make sure that your payment method is secure.

Related links

• Understanding food assistance
• About humanitarian assistance