Hunger Relief International (HRI) is committed to alleviating childhood hunger through a diverse array of activities including the implementation of nutritious feeding programs, improving access to education, establishing income generating projects and other development activities that will create self-sustaining families and communities around the world.
HRI is currently operating in two countries: Haiti and Guatemala.
HAITI
The number of orphans in Haiti ranges from 35,000 to as high as 600,000. Although the actual number is difficult to ascertain we do know that following the January 12th, 2010 earthquake that number soared. The need to ensure the well being of these children is absolutely critical. Our work in Haiti focuses on improving the health and welfare of these vulnerable orphans utilizing strategies including nutritional support, vegetable gardens, improving access to healthcare, and ensuring access to education, clean water and proper sanitation. HRI also has a full time social worker on our staff in the country.
The food staples HRI provides to 1,450 orphans daily through our nutritional support programs are produced and purchased locally. Our staff in Haiti works closely with farmers and farmers associations in the agricultural center of the country in an effort to create stable markets. This will have a positive impact on the fragile Haitian economy and specifically on the lives of the farmers and their families. Today, HRI is working with 12 farmers associations in Haiti.
Please visit the country page for more information about HRIs activities in Haiti.
GUATEMALA
In Guatemala, the face of poverty and hunger is young, indigenous and rural. Guatemala, with the fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world and the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean, faces a serious challenge to reduce chronic under-nutrition, currently at 49.3% among children under 5. (Source: WFP, 2010)
The core focus of HRI in Guatemala is addressing the issue of hunger through school-based feeding programs. Since July 2010, Hunger Relief International has provided a nutritious breakfast and lunch to children attending school in rural villages throughout the country.
Please visit the country page for more information about HRIs activities in Guatemala.
