Caritas Australia is appealing for supporters to help farmers and their families in Timor-Leste who are experiencing a prolonged dry spell driven by El Niño.
The dry spell has decimated crops, dried up water sources, and left farmers struggling to feed their families. This has exacerbated already high levels of poverty and steady increases in food prices.
As a result, more than one in four people in Timor-Leste face acute food insecurity, with around half of all children under five suffering from stunted growth because they do not have enough food to eat.
“The impact of El Niño and rising food prices on Timor-Leste’s farmers cannot be overstated,” said Fernando Pires, Caritas Australia’s country representative for Timor-Leste.
“With their livelihoods hanging in the balance, these resilient individuals are facing extreme hardships and uncertainty.”
As the end of the financial year approaches, Caritas Australia is appealing to supporters to make a tax-deductible donation to help farmers and their families in Timor-Leste.
Donations will support agricultural and business training, enabling farmers to grow a wider variety of crops and better understand profit opportunities.
Caritas Australia’s programs in Timor-Leste will also see communities engaged in Disaster Risk Reduction activities to help mitigate the impact of floods and droughts, which can devastate farms.
Details: Caritas Australia
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Caritas Australia launches tax time appeal addressing hunger in Timor Leste (Caritas Australia)
