The Freemasons' Grand Charity

14 March 2006 - £10,000 for food shortage relief efforts in Africa

The President of the Grand Charity has approved an emergency grant of £10,000 to the British Red Cross, to aid their urgent work to tackle the food shortages affecting populations across Southern, East and West Africa .

At least 23 million people are facing serious food shortages for a combination of reasons and the situation is deteriorating rapidly.

In Southern Africa an estimated 12 million people are in need of food aid following total crop failure and in the East and Horn of Africa more than 11 million people are facing food shortages due to severe droughts and the effects of past and ongoing conflicts. There are also fears of re-emerging food shortages in West Africa , a region affected by food security problems for several decades.

The emergency grant to the Red Cross will help fund relief efforts across the continent including the provision of food aid, water, sanitation and seeds for planting.

Further Information:
Please contact Natasha Ward, Information & Communications Officer, on 020 7395 9394.
THE GRAND CHARITY
Established by the United Grand Lodge of England
Registered Charity No 281942
FREEMASONS' HALL
60 GREAT QUEEN STREET
LONDON WC2B 5AZ