News from the PWRDF
The Wild Ride is back!
Do you have a passion for cycling? Baking? Hiking? Reading? No matter what your favourite activity, you’re invited to join the second annual PWRDF Wild Ride in support of refugees and Internally Displaced People being supported by our partners in Tanzania, South Sudan, Jordan, Ukraine and more. Learn more at pwrdf.org/the-pwrdf-wild-ride-returns
Canadian charities unite to respond to humanitarian crisis in East Africa
In response to the impact of conflict, climate and hunger in parts of east Africa, combined with the ripple effects of the conflict in Sudan, 12 Canadian aid agencies working together as the Humanitarian Coalition are raising funds to rush assistance to people in need.
The Canadian government has announced it will match donations by individual Canadians until June 30, 2023, up to a total of $5 million.
How you can help:
Please keep the people living in affected countries in your prayers. You can also support emergency assistance to people in East African countries by donating to PWRDF by June 30. Your donation will be matched one-to-one by the Government of Canada, to a maximum of $5 million. Give online, by calling 416-822-9083 (or leave a message toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and we will return your call) or by mail. Send your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4Y 3G2. Please indicate “East Africa” in the memo field.
PWRDF responds to Kherson dam collapse in Ukraine
On June 6, an explosion destroyed the dam at the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station in Kherson, Ukraine. The ongoing war and Russian occupation in Ukraine have created a state of chaos, with impacts to the economy, agriculture and power supplies. The dam disaster will only exacerbate these struggles. It has caused power outages and major flooding, leading to displacement of thousands from their homes. The lack of clean drinking water will have a devastating impact on public health. PWRDF is responding with $100,000 to an ACT Alliance appeal for funds to aid in emergency relief efforts. These funds are being allocated to Hungarian Interchurch Aid (HIA)’s rapid response to the dam break in Kherson – the largest dam in the country.
PWRDF supports trauma healing and peacebuilding in South Sudan
PWRDF is providing an annual grant of $16,000 to advance trauma healing and peacebuilding initiatives in South Sudan, thanks to a generous gift from the Ptarmigan Foundation.
In September 2022, the Government of South Sudan Council of Ministers declared the Northern Bahr El Ghazel, Upper Nile and flood-affected parts of Greater Equatorial States national disaster areas. Two consecutive years of flooding and inflation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have drastically worsened poverty in Northern Bahr El Ghazal state. On top of this, violent armed groups continue to cause displacement while intercommunal fighting, cattle raiding and cross-border attacks from Sudan have led to an increasingly insecure situation, especially for women and children. Poor roads, ambushes and hijackings make movement difficult and inhibits humanitarian access to remote areas.
