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Put your name at a Water Well in Africa

Posted on | by Henry Montesano

Open a Water Well in Africa With Embrace Relief and It’s Yours to Name

Make a real impact and leave a lasting legacy on the world with just $1,300! Embrace Relief’s Fountains of Hope project is transforming lives by rebuilding hundreds of water wells across Africa, empowering communities to prosper and making the world a brighter place.

Every dollar donated is critical for the health, happiness and prosperity of our Fountains of Hope communities. But did you know that with a donation of $1,300 to Fountains of Hope, you can cover the full cost of one water well reconstruction, restoring the flow of water for an entire community of 1,000+ people?

And that’s not all!

A donation of that amount will also allow you to name your water well after yourself, your family or loved ones, or anyone else you choose. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor the people closest to you while also making a difference for people in need.

Imagine seeing your name, or a name of your choosing, proudly displayed on this life-changing water well! Your generosity will be etched into the very source of life for an entire community, leaving a mark that will endure for generations!

To get started, simply fill out the form located at the following link (or at the bottom of this page) to let Embrace Relief know you’d like to start your Fountains of Hope project:

Create Your Fountains of Hope Project

A water well is the greatest gift you can give, and it is the key to unlocking vast amounts of human potential in Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria. However, more than 50 percent of water wells in this region are broken at any given time. Fountains of Hope identifies these broken wells and repairs them, giving nearby communities a chance to thrive once more. In each of our Fountains of Hope communities, we see a flourishing of human happiness, with better public health, children free to learn and grow, and women with opportunities to pursue their dreams.

That’s why your $1,300 gift isn’t just a donation; it’s an investment in humanity, dignity, and progress. Together, we can empower a community, alleviate suffering, and offer hope for a better tomorrow. Donate now and imprint your legacy on a well that will sustain lives for years to come!

Repair A Water Well Project
Put Your Name On a Water Well With Embrace Relief

Quick Donation for Clean Water

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**if you choose to donate $1,300, you will ensure the reconstruction of a water well – in your name (or any name you wish!) in Africa

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Global Hunger Facts 2023

Posted on | by Leo Wilson

Summary

  • In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, world hunger levels continue to rise.
  • Learn about how Africa continues to be hit hardest by a combination of factors, resulting in continually worsening hunger.
  • But you can make a difference in the world hunger crisis. Support Embrace Relief’s International Hunger Relief campaigns and help us provide food packages and hot meals to those in need.

The latest estimates from the U.N. World Food Programme declare that 700 million people worldwide – nearly 1 out of every 11 people on the planet – are living with hunger in 2023. While this is a notable improvement from levels of hunger observed during the height of COVID-19, this number still represents an increase in hunger since 2019. Global hunger is driven by a number of factors, including residual supply issues from the COVID pandemic, climate change and natural disasters, and conflict. And despite positive trends elsewhere, hunger continues to especially sharply in Africa, where more than one-third of the world’s hungry people live.

The Global Hunger Index notes that most of the least food-secure countries in the world as of 2023 are located in sub-Saharan Africa. The GHI measures key hunger statistics in 135 countries, including:

  • The percentage of the population of a country affected by undernourishment
  • The percentage of a country’s children suffering from wasting (low body weight for one’s height)
  • The percentage of country’s children suffering from stunting (low height for one’s age)
  • A country’s child mortality rate

These figures are then rated on a 100-point scale relative to the highest-observed figures, meaning that the country with the highest level of undernourishment would receive a score of 100 in its category, and so on. These scores are then aggregated according to a formula to produce an overall score between 0 (no hunger) and 100 (worst hunger).

According to this formula, 14 of the 19 hungriest countries on earth are located in sub-Saharan Africa, with Burundi, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Chad all ranking in the top 10 with GHI scores of 37 or higher.

Humans produce more than enough food in a typical year to feed every single person. The biggest issue, then, is making food access equitable. The biggest current drivers of hunger are conflict, climate change and natural disasters, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. All three of these drivers can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in places like Yemen and Afghanistan, presenting challenges for ensuring that all people have enough to eat.

But experts are now saying there might be cause to worry on the food production front, too. A combination of drought and other phenomena associated with climate change, poor harvests, the pandemic, and conflict could leave the world vulnerable to a food shortage, driving up prices and making it significantly more challenging for people in low-income countries to feed themselves and their families. That means we need to be acting doubly urgent to ensure that the crisis does not get any worse.

How Embrace Relief is helping feed people in need

Providing food to people in need around the world is a foundational part of Embrace Relief’s work. We support and operate food distributions throughout the year in dozens of countries, delivering much-needed nutritious food to people in need around the globe. Our annual International Hunger Relief campaigns make the greatest impact: during our two International Hunger Relief 2023 campaigns alone, Embrace Relief delivered food packages and meat packages to more than 150,000 people in over 20 countries, from sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, to Afghanistan and Indonesia, from Greece to the United States.

Easing hunger is a team effort, and we can’t do any of this without you. Donate to Embrace Relief’s Hunger Relief efforts in the box below and you can be part of the solution for the many millions of people living with hunger around the world. Your donation will support food distributions in one of the many countries we serve – and every dollar you donate makes a difference.

So please, donate today. Every contribution you make helps one more family go to bed on a full stomach, and brings us one small step closer to ending world hunger.

Donate For Hunger Relief

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5 Foods To Help You Break Your Ramadan Fast

Posted on | by Ali

5 Foods To Help You
Break Your Ramadan Fast

March 21, 2023

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The Ramadan fast encourages spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and increased devotion for Muslims worldwide. For an entire month, the rising and setting sun marks the beginning and end of the fast. The evening and early-morning hours are essential for eating right and ensuring that the body gets the right amount of nutrients before and after a long day of fasting.

In this article, we will discuss five foods you should eat when breaking a Ramadan fast, and explain why they are beneficial for your health:

1. Dates: Dates have been a traditional food for breaking the Ramadan fast for centuries. They are high in sugar, fiber, and energy, making them an excellent choice for replenishing the body’s energy levels quickly. Dates are also rich in essential minerals, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy heart and muscles. Additionally, dates contain antioxidants that help protect the body against damage from harmful free radicals.

2. Soups: Soups are a great food to break your fast with, as they are hydrating and easy to digest. A warm bowl of soup can also help calm the digestive system and ease any discomfort caused by the day’s fast. Vegetable soups are an excellent choice, as they are low in calories, high in fiber, and loaded with nutrients. Adding legumes, such as lentils or chickpeas, can also increase the protein and fiber content of your soup.

3. Yogurt: Yogurt is a great food to break your fast with, as it is rich in protein, calcium, and probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for overall health. Eating yogurt can also help regulate blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for people with diabetes.

4. Whole grains: Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and barley are excellent sources of complex carbohydrates, which provide sustained energy and help maintain blood sugar levels. They are also rich in fiber, which aids digestion and promotes satiety. Whole grains can be consumed as part of a main meal or as a side dish.

5. Fresh fruits and vegetables: Fresh fruits and vegetables are an essential part of any healthy diet, and they are particularly beneficial when breaking a Ramadan fast. Fruits and vegetables are loaded with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, which can help replenish the body’s nutrients after a long day of fasting. Additionally, they are low in calories, making them an excellent choice for those looking to maintain a healthy weight.

And while it’s not food, here’s one extra tip:

6. Water: Staying hydrated is just as crucial as eating nutritously during Ramadan, as the body can lose fluids through sweating and urination. Drinking plenty of water during the non-fasting hours can help prevent dehydration and keep the body functioning optimally.

In conclusion, when breaking a Ramadan fast, it is essential to eat foods that are nutrient-dense, hydrating, and easy to digest. Dates, soups, yogurt, grilled or baked fish, and fresh fruits and vegetables are all excellent choices that can help replenish the body’s nutrients and provide energy for the night ahead. Incorporating these foods into your suhur and iftar meals can help ensure that you stay healthy and nourished throughout the month of Ramadan.

Help those less fortunate eat healthy this Ramadan with Embrace Relief

During this time of year, we must always consider the millions of people worldwide who go hungry every day because they lack food and the resources to acquire food. Nutritious food is a human right. And during Ramadan 2023, you can help make this a reality for thousands of people around the world!

All it takes is a donation to Embrace Relief’s International Hunger Relief: Ramadan 2023 campaign. Every dollar you donate will help us put hot meals and food packages on the tables of those who need it most – whether they live in earthquake-ravaged Turkey, conflict-stricken Yemen, impoverished parts of Africa, refugee areas in Greece, or in our own backyard in the United States.

Last year, thanks to the generosity of donors like you, Embrace Relief helped to feed more than 36,000 people during this campaign. In 2023, we plan to increase our reach and aid people in more than a dozen countries. Donating any amount of money will make a difference – the amounts below represent the cost of one food package that will feed a family for one week:

Donate For Hunger Relief

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Four ways to teach your children about charity

Posted on | by Ali

Four ways to teach your
children about charity

March 8, 2023

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Ramadan 2023 begins at sundown on March 22 and continues until April 21. It is a time of spiritual reflection and a time for sharing with others. And if you are a parent, Ramadan also offers an excellent opportunity to explain the importance of charity to your child.

By explaining to a child that charity is the act of giving to those in need, parents can instill empathy, kindness, and generosity in their child. Children can learn about the struggles of others and understand the importance of giving back to the community. Furthermore, teaching a child about charity can help them develop a sense of social responsibility. They can learn that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone else’s life.

So how can you encourage your children to become charitable, empathetic young people during this special time of year? Here are four tips:

1.Link charity to Ramadan: Explain to your children that Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection and that it’s also a time for giving to others. You can tell them that Muslims believe that giving to charity during Ramadan is especially important, as it’s a way of seeking Allah’s blessings and forgiveness.

2. Lead by example: Children often learn by example, so it’s important for parents to demonstrate charitable behavior during Ramadan. You can involve your children in your own charitable activities, such as donating to a food bank or volunteering at a homeless shelter. This will help your children see the importance of giving to others.

3. Encourage children to give: Children may have a natural inclination to help others, so it’s important to encourage this behavior. You can ask your children to choose a charity they would like to support and help them set aside some money to donate. You can also encourage them to volunteer their time to a charitable cause.

4. Teach gratitude: Finally, it’s important to teach your children to be grateful for what they have. You can explain that not everyone is as fortunate and that by giving to others, we can help make the world a better place. Encourage your children to reflect on what they are thankful for and to think about how they can help others who may not be as fortunate.

Overall, teaching children about charity can promote positive values and help them become caring and responsible members of society. It can also help them develop a sense of gratitude for what they have and an appreciation for the importance of helping others in need.

Help Embrace Relief deliver hunger relief this Ramadan

If you’re looking for a worthy cause to support during the month of Ramadan, Embrace Relief’s International Hunger Relief 2023: Ramadan campaign is ideal.

Throughout the month, Embrace Relief will be on the ground delivering nutritious food packages to people in need across the globe. Your donation will help ease the hunger of thousands of people in more than a dozen countries across Africa, as well as Yemen, Greece, and the United States.

We have enough food to feed every person on earth. But we must all work together to ensure that none go hungry. Donate to Embrace Relief today and let’s fight hunger!

Embrace Relief Supports Victims of Earthquake in Turkey

Posted on | by Ali

In the wake of the devastating earthquakes that struck southern Turkey in the early morning hours of Feb. 6, 2023, the Embrace Relief Foundation is hard at work to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to the people affected by this natural disaster.

Embrace Relief is proud to announce that its first shipment of food aid – consisting of 21 pallets of prepared, ready-to-eat meals – was on its way to the affected areas as of Tuesday evening in Turkey, less than 48 hours after the initial earthquake, said Embrace Relief CEO Osman Dulgeroglu. He added that Embrace Relief is committed to delivering food to those in need every day, for as long as it is needed.

“Since we began operating, disaster relief has been a core part of Embrace Relief’s mission,” Dulgeroglu said. “Any time there is a disaster anywhere in the world, we act right away. We are currently working in cooperation with international nonprofit organizations and local partners to deliver aid to the communities suffering. We greatly value our local partners, who have previously supported us for many projects in Turkey.”

After beginning its fundraising campaign Monday morning, Embrace Relief has raised more than $400,000 in less than 48 hours, Dulgeroglu said, which will provide food and other immediate necessities – including tents for shelter, blankets, and clothing items – to people in the earthquake zone. Multiple community groups are also currently working with Embrace Relief to set up Group Fundraisers, whose proceeds will also directly aid affected people.

The situation on the ground remains difficult in the aftermath of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake and powerful aftershocks that shook Turkey on Monday. Thousands of people are believed to have died with many more injured, and large cities including Hatay, Gaziantep, Adana and Kahramanmaraş have seen widespread destruction, including the collapse of many buildings.

Transportation and communication networks have also been severely disrupted, meaning that outside aid is crucial to the survival of many people in this region.

“The people are in shock,” Dulgeroglu said. “Many people right now cannot contact their families, cannot know if they are safe. Many roads are closed, and large parts of these big cities are not accessible. So many people have lost their homes, lost everything.”

To donate in support of Embrace Relief’s earthquake relief efforts in Turkey, visit https://www.embracerelief.org/donation/help-victims-of-earthquake-in-southern-turkey.

Embrace Relief Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to delivering research-based, sustainable solutions to achieve immediate and lasting improvements in situations of humanitarian emergency and improving the quality of life of individuals and communities enduring chronic hardships. Learn more about Embrace Relief at our website, www.embracerelief.org.

Seven things to know about Ramadan

Posted on | by Leo Wilson

Seven things to know about Ramadan

March 16, 2023

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Ramadan 2023 begins at sunset on March 22, and will end at sunset on April 21. For Muslims around the world, it is one of the most important celebrations of each year.

Many non-Muslims may know that the observance of Ramadan involves a daily fast from sunrise to sunset, but may not understand the significance of Ramadan or other ways the holiday is observed.

If you’ve ever wondered about what Ramadan is, here are 7 basic facts that will give you a better understanding of this holy month celebrated by more than one billion people worldwide:

1.Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. The month of Ramadan is a commemoration of the revelation of Islam’s holy text, the Quran, to the prophet Muhammad. This occurred during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the observance of Ramadan has become one of the most important pillars of belief for Muslims.

2. The start and end dates of Ramadan change each year. Similar to holidays in other religions like Easter or Rosh Hashanah, the start and end dates of Ramadan shift each year because its observance is based on a lunar calendar (the Islamic calendar is 354 days long). For example, Ramadan 2023 will begin at sunset on March 10 and end at sunset on April 9

3. Muslims are obliged to abstain from more than just food and drink. The month of Ramadan is a time for discipline, prayer, and thoughtfulness. Fasting is required, and intended to make people more aware of their relationship with God. Between the hours of sunrise and sunset, no food or drink is permitted. Additionally, Muslims are expected to abstain from sexual relations, smoking, and sinful behaviors like lying and gossiping.

4. Each day begins and ends with a meal. All Muslims are expected to continue on with their normal lives, whether working or going to school, while fasting during Ramadan. This means they must eat enough between sunset and sunrise to have enough energy for the day. An early wake-up call is followed by suhur, a small meal eaten before sunrise and before the first of the day’s daily prayers. Once the sun sets, it is time for iftar (“breaking the fast”), a larger feast traditionally eaten in a family or community setting.

5. Studying the Quran and praying are extra important. Throughout the year, Muslims pray five times every day. During the holiest month of the year, Muslims are expected to become even closer with God through extra prayers and the reading of the Quran. The tarawih are special prayers held each night during Ramadan in most mosques around the world, involving the reading of long portions of the Quran. Many Muslims seek to read the entire Quran, which comprises 30 sections, during the month of Ramadan.

6. The month of fasting ends with a big celebration. Eid al-Fitr (“Feast of breaking the fast”) is the celebration of the end of Ramadan, and occurs at sunset on the night when a crescent moon can first be seen. In America, this will be the night of April 21, 2023. This is one of the biggest annual celebrations of the Islamic world, typically involving prayers and sermons during the day, followed by large family and community gatherings after sunset. With the obligation to fast lifted, it is a time to eat, drink and be merry!

7. Charity is one of the most important aspects of Ramadan. In addition to fasting and prayer, donating to those in need is one of the core values of Ramadan. Zakat, the giving of a certain percentage of one’s income to the poor, is an obligation for all Muslims who have the ability to give. Many people choose to give during Ramadan, when generosity to the needy is thought to have an even more positive effect on one’s soul.

It can be very difficult to go through a full day without any food or drink, as any person observing the Ramadan fast can tell you. This is a time of year when many people can understand firsthand the struggle and pain of an empty stomach. And unfortunately, hunger can be found in every corner of our planet.

At Embrace Relief, we’ve made it a core part of our mission to deliver food to people in more than 50 countries worldwide, thanks to the support of people like you. If you have the ability, there’s never a bad time to provide a charitable donation that will make a real impact in people’s lives. But this month of reflection, empathy and charity is an especially good time to do so!

Help feed people in need with Embrace Relief

During our International Hunger Relief Campaign: Ramadan 2022, Embrace Relief delivered food packages to more than 36,000 people across 12 countries, including more than 8,900 in Tanzania, 8,000 in Greece, 5,600 in Yemen, more than 1,100 in Yemen, and hundreds more families in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. We also helped out locally, delivering food to nearly 500 neighboring families in New Jersey.

For our International Hunger Relief Campaign: Ramadan 2023, we want to reach even more people in need, and your support makes that possible. Donating any amount of money will make a difference – the amounts below represent the cost of one food package that will feed a family for one week:

36,500+ People

Reached Worldwide

DONATE FOR TURKEY
DONATE FOR YEMEN
DONATE FOR GREECE
DONATE FOR AFRICA
DONATE FOR USA

So please, donate today. Every contribution you make helps one more family go to bed on a full stomach, and brings us one small step closer to ending world hunger.

The Clean Water Crisis: Facts You Should Know

Posted on | by Leo Wilson

Access to clean water is a crucial issue for people all over the world. According to the United Nations (UN), over 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water, leading to numerous health and socio-economic challenges. Here are some of the most important facts and statistics that highlight the extent of the access to clean water crisis:

  • Impact on billions of people: A UN estimate shows that nearly 4 billion people, more than half of the world’s population, experiences extreme water scarcity for at least one month out of the year. Many millions live in parts of the world like sub-Saharan Africa, where fresh water is plentiful, but unable to be accessed, leading people to rely on unprotected rivers, lakes, and watering holes. These people face high risk of waterborne diseases, which can have serious health implications.
  • Women and children: Women and children are often responsible for collecting water, which can take hours out of their day and keep them from pursuing education or other activities. The UN estimates that 200 million hours per day are spent collecting water. In addition, children are particularly vulnerable to water-borne diseases and malnutrition, which can have long-term consequences for their health and development.
  • Economic development: It is estimated that the water crisis costs the global economy billions of dollars every year, due to the costs of illness, lost productivity, and decreased agricultural yields.
  • Health: Access to clean water is essential for good health, and poor water quality can lead to serious illnesses such as diarrhea, cholera, and other waterborne diseases. It is estimated that over 800,000 people die every year due to these preventable illnesses.
  • Rural communities: Rural communities often lack access to clean water and basic sanitation facilities. This means that people living in rural areas, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, are more likely to suffer from water-borne diseases, and their health and well-being is compromised.

In conclusion, access to clean water is a crucial issue for people all over the world, and these facts highlight the significant impact that the lack of access to safe drinking water can have on health, economic development, and overall well-being. Addressing the clean water crisis will require sustained investment in water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as efforts to improve water management and governance.

Help Embrace Relief end the Clean Water Crisis in Africa

For the last decade, Embrace Relief has been working hard to build exactly this kind of infrastructure in Africa. Through our Clean Water Initiative and Fountains of Hope project, and thanks to the support of donors like you, we have been able to construct or rebuild more than 760 water wells across sub-Saharan Africa, including in Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. These wells are currently providing life-giving clean drinking water to more than 760,000 people, and will continue to do so thanks to Embrace Relief’s guarantee to never abandon our wells. Read all about Embrace Relief’s water wells by clicking here.

Donate today to Embrace Relief’s Clean Water Initiative or Fountains of Hope project and you can help us move one step closer to solving the clean water crisis in Africa. Your donation would be one small gift that will impact thousands of people for years to come.

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World Hunger Statistics 2022

Posted on | by Leo Wilson

The world hunger crisis is a pressing global issue that affects millions of people worldwide.

According to the United Nations (UN), the number of undernourished people in the world increased to 828 million in 2022, including a record-high 349 million people facing acute food insecurity, with the majority living in developing countries. This is a significant problem that requires urgent action to address. In order to understand the scale of the world hunger crisis, it is essential to look at key statistics that help identify the problem.

Take, for example, that UN estimate of 828 million people who do not have enough to eat. This numbers represents one out of every nine people on Earth. Meanwhile, more than 900,000 people worldwide are living in famine-like conditions right now, 10 times more than did in 2017. The UN also estimates that more than 30 million children under the age of 5 in the 15 worst-affected countries are acutely malnourished. Malnutrition can have long-term negative effects on the physical and cognitive development of children.

Why is the hunger crisis worsening as the calendar turns into 2023? There are several key reasons:

  • Poverty: The UN estimates that around 98% of the people living with hunger live in developing countries, where poverty is most prevalent. This highlights the strong link between poverty and hunger, as people who live in extreme poverty often lack the means to provide for themselves and their families. And as inflation drove up the prices of food around the globe in 2022, it became harder for less-developed countries to afford enough to feed themselves.
  • Climate change: The UN estimates that climate change could push an additional 83 million people into hunger by 2030. This is due to the impact of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and storms, which can lead to crop failures and food shortages.
  • Conflict: The UN reports that nearly 80% of the world’s hungry people live in countries affected by conflict. Food insecurity is often a direct consequence of war and violence, and this exacerbates the problem of hunger in conflict-affected areas.

 

In conclusion, the world hunger crisis is a significant global issue that affects millions of people worldwide. Key statistics such as the number of people who suffer from hunger, the number of people living in extreme poverty, the impact of climate change, the number of people affected by conflict, and the number of children suffering from malnutrition, all help to identify the problem and understand its scale.

Donate to Embrace Relief and Help Us Fight World Hunger!

Embrace Relief is doing its part to ease the world hunger crisis. In 2022, our International Hunger Relief campaigns provided life-saving food aid to more than 130,000 people in over a dozen countries, including several countries across Africa, Greece, Yemen, and here in the United States.

In 2023, we’re eager to make an even greater impact. But we need your help. Donate today to Embrace Relief’s International Hunger Relief: Ramadan 2023 campaign, and help us ensure that thousands of people around the world will not have to worry about where their next meal will come from. Together, we can share our food with those in need, and make the world a less-hungry place.

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