In 2013, Children's Emergency Relief International (CERI) launched a new program called "Child Relief and Support Program" (CRSP). This program reaches school-aged children to meet physical needs, including food, clothing and shelter. CERI's CRSP program also provides support for educational, social and spiritual development.
Coatzacoalcos is a major port city in the southern part of the Mexican state of Veracruz, on the Coatzacoalcos River. Though Coatzacoalcos has attracted the oil industry, this has been a detriment to many families. The cost of living has gone up in the community, while the income of many families has remained the same, thus reducing the buying power of their already limited income.
Through its Child Relief and Support Program (CRSP), CERI is able to reach families from the poorest neighborhoods in Coatzacoalcos by providing for the physical needs of school-aged children. The CRSP ensures that children are provided with a nutritious daily meal, clothing and appropriate shelter. The CRSP also provides support for educational, social and spiritual development.
The World Health Organization has reported hunger and related malnutrition as the greatest single threat to the world's public health. Malnutrition leads to impaired function of the brain and has devastating and irreversible consequences on children's physical and mental development. CERI's goal is to combat the long-term effects of poverty by helping children through the critical years of physical and mental development.
