Faith-Based Coalition Requests Legislators Take Action in 4th COVID-19 Supplemental

Amy Grant, Senator-Doctor Bill Frist, Jen Hatmaker, and Doctor Paul Osteen among signatories on letter to congress

Nashville, Jun 12, 2020 (Issuewire.com) - As Congress is expected to finalize and vote on the 4th emergency supplemental appropriations bill in the coming weeks, a coalition of faith and community leaders is using its collective voice to encourage the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to adequately address the international response for vulnerable populations, specifically requesting additional resources and funding for global food security and nutrition programs.

The 2030 Collaborative, supported by the Eleanor Crook Foundation, recently invited faith and community leaders across the country to "stand up and advocate for food-insecure populations worldwide" in the face of the COVID-19 crisis worldwide just as they are doing for those in need in their own communities and congregations. The response was overwhelming, resulting in more than 270 signatures from leaders across the country, representing 33 states and Washington D.C.  

An excerpt of the letter to Congress reads:

For far too many families and children all over the world, the extended economic lockdown is as big of a threat to their access to food as the virus is itself - with adequate nutrition and food insecurity among the gravest challenges. According to the World Food Programme, 265 million people could be pushed into acute food insecurity by COVID-19, almost doubling last year's total. The people most impacted are disproportionately those already vulnerable to infections and other illnesses. Because severely malnourished children are nine to twelve times more likely to die of preventable diseases as well-nourished children, COVID-19 is an immediate, urgent danger to global child survival. As hospitals and local health centers fill beyond capacity, access to treatment for malnutrition will be jeopardized.

Children represent perhaps the most vulnerable population that will suffer now and in the future as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. In the wake of the pandemic, wasting is projected to be the largest killer of children. Estimates from Johns Hopkins University suggest that widespread disruption in routine health services as a result of COVID-19 will result in an additional 1.2 million child deaths over the next 6 months - a 45% increase in under-five child deaths per month due to disruptions in health systems alone. Wasting will be responsible for the greatest number of additional child deaths in these potential scenarios - contributing to over 20% of the increase. If the world does not take action, we should expect to see 10 million more wasted children.

We know the life-saving impact of U.S. investments in global food security and nutrition, and as COVID-19 pushes millions further to brink of starvation your leadership will be essential to addressing the growing need.

Founder of The 2030 Collaborative, Jenny Eaton Dyer, Ph.D., is excited by the number of leaders who lifted their voices on behalf of food-insecure populations all over the world: "Millions of lives hang in the balance this year. The progress in eliminating hunger in recent years is being reversed, and now more than 30 countries are on the brink of famine because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the words of Margaret Mead, it 'only takes a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens [to] change the world.' Such is the case with global hunger advocacy. These leaders of faith are taking a stand to protect and increase funding for those who are experiencing extreme hunger. We hope Congress hears their voices," said Dyer.

In addition to her work with The 2030 Collaborative, Dyer co-edited The End of Hunger: Renewed Hope for Feeding the World in 2019. Many of Dr. Dyer's collaborators on the book have stepped forward as part of this coalition to raise awareness of hunger for the world's most vulnerable populations. 

Senator-Doctor Bill Frist, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader and contributor to The End of Hunger, notes, "Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions by helping those who lack basic nutrition. Tackling this challenge will serve as a shining example of US global leadership at its best and demonstrate the unparalleled compassion of the American people in this moment of history."

Dr. Paul Osteen, vascular surgeon and associate pastor of Lakewood Church, shares, "Everywhere that I work in rural Africa I see the loss of life and potential as a result of malnutrition. Sadly, global hunger most often affects those most vulnerable--children and young mothers. As Christians, we are called to keep our hearts of compassion open and to continue to do what we can to heed Jesus' words, 'When I was hungry, you gave me something to eat'."

Some individuals of influence who have signed their names to the letter include:

• Kenny & Christiev Alphin, Artist (Big & Rich)
• Lisa Bevere, Author, Speaker & Co-Founder, Messenger International
• Tim Breene, CEO, World Relief
• Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, Authors and Artist
• Sheryl Crow, Artist
• Melinda Doolittle, Artist
• Mike Glenn, Sr. Pastor, Brentwood Baptist Church
• Amy Grant, Artist
• Tracie and Scott Hamilton, Philanthropists and former U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist
• Jen Hatmaker, Author & Speaker
• The Rev. Dr. Russ Levenson, Jr., Rector, St. Martin's Episcopal Church
• Brian McLaren, Author, Speaker & Activist - Convergenceus.org
• Heidi & Eric Murkoff, Author & Co-Founders, What to Expect Project
• Jennifer Nettles, Artist (Sugarland)
• Kimberly Williams Paisley, Actor & Philanthropist
• Samuel Rodriguez, Author & President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
• Jo Saxton, Director, 3DM; Author & Speaker
• Scott Sauls, Sr., Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church
• Michael W. Smith, Artist, Singer & Songwriter
• Becca Stevens, St. Augustine's Chapel; Founder, Thistle Farms
• Jason Surratt, Pastor of Stewardship and Global Missions, Seacoast Church
• Jim Wallis, President and Founder, Sojourners

Visit The 2030 Collaborative's press page to read the letter in its entirety and to view a full list of signatories.

About The 2030 Collaborative: The 2030 Collaborative focuses on promoting awareness, providing education, and encouraging advocacy for the 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including those related to poverty, health, hunger, education, clean water, sanitation, and peace and justice. With longtime relationships across the nation, The 2030 Collaborative nurtures, educates, and activates notable leaders across the faith community (actors, athletes, authors, pastors, professors, non-profit leaders, speakers, etc.) and other sectors to take a stand for the expediency of addressing global health and development policy and funding goals to achieve a better, safer, and more sustainable world for everyone. For more information on how The 2030 Collaborative can help with your advocacy efforts, visit www.2030Collaborative.com.

Media Contact

The 2030 Collaborative

[email protected]

Andrea Rizk

Nashville, Tennessee

https://www.2030collaborative.com/

Source :The 2030 Collaborative

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