Caring for the Least of These: Amid Starvation & the COVID 19 Pandemic

Jarbai spent a typical day catching fish and crabs from the local river to sell at the market. Her son worked as a daily laborer, supplementing the money from Jarbai’s daily catches. While meager, the earnings they pulled in were just enough to survive—at least until the COVID 19 pandemic.

Hunger Amidst Crisis

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, many countries imposed a nationwide lockdown. Families already trapped in poverty, including Jarbai’s, could not work, and no work meant no food. Millions went to bed hungry, night after night.

The threat of starvation, mingled with the threat of COVID-19, left cities, villages and communities in fear. However, GFA workers across Asia did what they could to help combat this double threat of hunger and sickness.

After obtaining the necessary permission from local authorities, Gospel for Asia (GFA) workers in Jarbai’s area sought families particularly at risk of hunger and brought them packets of food. Over the course of several weeks, these faithful workers divided, packaged and distributed thousands of pounds of dry goods, such as rice, potatoes, onions, dal, oil and soap, to families in need.

“My son works as a daily laborer and I catch fish and crabs from the river to sell, but due to the lockdown we cannot do this.,” explained Jarbai. “The food items are a great help for me and my family. I am happy and thankful to [the church] from the bottom of my heart.”

READ THE REST OF THE REPORT ON GFA-REPORTS.ORG

Learn more about how to Help those in need amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, giving food and aid to Coronavirus victims.

Learn more by reading the GFA Special Report: Poverty: Public Enemy #1 – Eliminating Extreme Poverty Worldwide is Possible, But Not Inevitable