Every day, one in nine people around the world do not have enough food to support a healthy, active lifestyle. The problem has been compounded by climate change, which often has a devastating impact on food security. Severe drought across three continents has led to shortages of food, water and energy in recent months. Tearfund is helping communities to grow crops, find alternative sources of food or fuel, and increase resilience to climate change
Photographs: Tearfund
Mozambique
This Mozambican vendor is selling field mice - as opposed to house mice, which are considered dirty - speared on a stick. Mice and other small rodents and insects are on the menu in many countries, and are often viewed as a delicacy. There have been growing calls for insects to become part of a staple and sustainable global diet
Photograph: Ralph Hodgson/Tearfund
In many remote communities in Mozambique, a river may be the only source of water available. This sign warns people about the risks posed by crocodiles when working near water
Photograph: Ralph Hodgson/Tearfund
Brazil
Farmers Deda and Genedite are using a biodigester to break down animal waste, which releases methane gas that can be captured and used as gas to cook. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas if released into the atmosphere, so the biodigester reduces not only waste but also environmental impact. It also means farmers don’t have to spend scarce funds on gas canisters or use wood fuel
Photograph: Eleanor Bentall/Tearfund
Uganda
Vanessa (right) shares a joke with her neighbours Lillian (left) and Sharon. The women are peeling potatoes to feed friends and neighbours who are helping to build a rainwater harvesting tank for Vanessa’s family. Tearfund’s partner supplied the materials, along with a craftsman, for the project in Kigezi district, south-west Uganda. Harvesting rainwater reduces long, arduous journeys to collect water
Photograph: Marcus Perkins/Tearfund
Laos
This thin soup, made from tiny frogs caught by Kalei, a teenager from Laos, was often the only food her family had to eat. When her mother left their rural home in search of work, Kalei had to take responsibility for her siblings at a young age. Her father is in poor health and has struggled to earn a living. Helping the family with start-up capital enabled them to set up a broom-making business. Sales now generate enough income to meet their needs
Photograph: Ralph Hodgson/Tearfund
Olina, 19, seen here with her younger sister, shows off snacks she learned to make and sell at a small business workshop. The sisters live in southern Laos, close to the Thai border. Their financial security helps to protect them from being exploited
Photograph: Ralph Hodgson/Tearfund
Ethiopia
A woman benefits from emergency food distribution in Ethiopia;s Fentale district. The recent drought has left more than 10 million people needing food assistance, seed and livestock fodder
Photograph: Tadesse Dadi/Tearfund
A self-help savings and loans group has been set up by women in Hawassa, southern Ethiopia. Cooking oil is purchased in bulk so that members can get it at a cheaper rate. The women conducting the meeting keep track of the group’s finances
Photograph: Louise Thomas/Tearfund
Chad
When all her crops failed due to drought, Zenaba, a widowed mother of four from Chad, struggled to feed her family and had to resort to raiding ant nests for seeds and foraging wild leaves and fruit. Tearfund has been helping people in her community to diversify their food supply by growing vegetables, watered from supplies captured in small dams. This has enabled Zenaba to grow and harvest a second crop of okra
Photograph: Peter Caton/Tearfund
NEWS REFERANCE: THE GUARDIAN
