Today everyone is worried about catching a virus. In Nigeria, however, everyone is worried about catching their next meal.
Efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 have had drastic “side effects”, pardon the medical metaphor. Increased checkpoints, quarantines, and a ban on interstate travel have decimated the gig economies poor people rely on for income.
“People’s livelihoods have been cut off; workers are no longer being paid as they have to stay home, while wage earners are left to the same fate”, says Nkeru Dorothy, a lay missionary of the Messengers of Justice (MOJ).
In addition to curtailed work and income, commodity food imports into Nigeria have fallen sharply as exporting nations cut exports to boost their food supplies. This has caused food shortages and skyrocketing food prices.
“The price of most food items in the market has more than tripled, so poor families are totally unable to buy food”, Dorothy says of the inflation.
HEAL has taken action to fight the so-called “hunger virus”. In May, Rev. Leo Okonkwo, HEAL Founder, directed the MOJ Sisters to take from their own food stores and share with the needy.
200 bags of rice, 50 bags of beans, and 100 cartons of tomatoes have been given to families and elderly priests in villages within the Ahiazu-Mbaise LGA. 30 of the 200 bags of rice went to seminarians of the local Ahiara Diocese.
Now in July, another round of food relief has been made possible through the generosity of HEAL patrons. More bags of rice and beans are being brought to hungry families in Umuagwu village in the Ohaji-Egbema LGA.
The emblem of the MOJ Sisters has been printed on the food bags to raise awareness of the mission. “We hope to motivate people to join us in serving the Lord and humanity through the Self-Emptying of Christ”, says Rev. Leo.
With no end in sight to COVID-19 or the hunger virus, HEAL is resolved to continue this urgent relief work. “It brings tears to my eyes when I see able bodied men and women out in the streets begging for food”, says Nkeru Dorothy.
To date, we are halfway through our effort to provide relief to 4,000 people. Our food package provides a full meal for only $1.00 per person per day.
With your help, we can bring comfort and relief to poor people until they are allowed to return to work and provide for themselves again.