Food Relief to Drought Stricken Farmers

The long dry spell has ended with what was seemingly a never ending bout of  rainless months and parched  lands...and food was scarce for farmers and even for draft animals.  We thought it would be a prolonged drought period...El Nino's wrath.  Thankfully La Nina came in time...despite the rains and storms it's a welcome reprieve  from the heat and a chance to plant rice and other food crops.  Despite the risk of crop damage due to the storms. there is a greater chance that  there will be come harvest and ..soon there will be food compared to receiving relief which is shortl lived.

Thank you for your support in providing food relief to farmer in some areas in Central Luzon, the rice granary of the Philippines.  Though we could not provide substantial amount of rice for distribution to farmers,we were able to give 5 kilos of rice, sardines and noddle packs to 100 farmer beneficiaries in Bulacan  For small children and elderly a semi feeding operations have been undertaken by women preparing  porridge,  a hot meal made from sticky rice mixed with eggs which is a common feeding menu for a large number people. 

There were also distibution of some planting materials like basic vegetables that can be grown during the rainy season especially roots crops like sweet potatoes  and yam adaptable during the wet months.  These are dependable food crops that can withstand heavy rains and floods and can be stored for longer periods  so that in time of emergencies these could be made as dependabe supplementary food supply.

To cover as many farmers affected by the drought, SIBAT joined hands with other partner networks who are also sourcing funds for the relief operations.  Pooling resources together enables relief partners to buy moe relief goods to cover a lot of those affected. 

We are glad that the drought is over and we are encouraging farmers to prepare for buffer stocks before the onset of the next dry season which will be the following year to mitigate the impact of food scarcity when land dries up due to an extended drought. 

Thank you very much to all of you  who support the relief mission and for GlobalGiving for providing us the additional support to have this relief undertaking.

In behalf of the aided communities in Bulacan Central Luzon, we extend to you our heartfelt gratitude for the help you have extended.  God bless your generousity. Thank you!