I am so extremely grateful every day to be able to provide for my son. And this year, on Mother’s Day in particular, I am devastated to think about the plight of 20 million mothers and families around the world who are struggling to survive right now due to a looming famine in four countries across Africa and the Middle East—northeast Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.
A drought has swept across these conflict-ridden regions, resulting in what United Nations officials call the worst preventable humanitarian crisis since World War II. In the worst affected areas, crops have been wiped out and livestock have died, forcing people to borrow money and food and sell what little they have in order to survive, or to risk their lives walking hundreds of miles, carrying babies and toddlers, in search of food and shelter.
These families urgently need our help.
In honor of Mother’s Day, I ask you to join me in showing our support for the millions of mothers and parents living on the brink of starvation. Struggling to feed their children. Losing hope.
Please sign this petition to urge the global community to act, and act quickly, to avert a catastrophe. Your voice will help us mobilize international support to:
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Meet the urgent needs of affected families and restore basic services such as water, sanitation and schools;
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Ensure long-term opportunities by creating jobs and reviving local agriculture so people can earn an income to support their families and become less vulnerable in the future;
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Address the root causes, such as ongoing conflict, fragility and insecurity, to prevent the crisis from spreading or recurring.
As a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), I have witnessed firsthand what can happen when people are given opportunities to not only survive but succeed. UNDP is working in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen to restore access to food and basic services; revive the local agriculture and economy through cash-for-work and similar programs; and ensure lasting peace and security.
But we can’t do it alone. We need you by our side. Together we can change the world for mothers, families, and children. Everywhere. Please add your voice. It is only with sustained attention that we can be sure to bring relief.
