If you are someone who cares about the degradation of the earth’s fragile environment, or someone who cares about the exploitation of animals, or if you are someone who wants to help but is concerned about how your money is spent, then you may have heard of Vegfam. As a vegan famine relief charity, Vegfam cares about these issues too, and also cares about the millions of people worldwide who are suffering from hunger, thirst and malnutrition.

By using sustainable methods of plant-foods production, more people can be fed than by using intensive animal farming practices that deplete scarce resources. It is more efficient (and better for the environment) to feed people with plant foods, which can directly provide them with all the essential nutrients - rather than growing crops to feed live stocks that will be eventually killed and fed to humans.

For over 40 years, Vegfam has been raising funds to feed the hungry without exploiting animals in over 40 countries. By working with other charities and in country NGO’s, projects are financed that help alleviate hunger that has resulted from famine, drought, disease, war, and natural disasters.

In 2004, £23,000 was placed on projects, including Bangladesh, India, Iran, Ivory coast, Mozambique and Sudan, as well as Tajikistan, Ghana and Cambodia. Emergency food was also supplied to flood and earthquake victims and malnourished children in war-torn areas. All Vegfam staff are volunteers, and with administration costs at a minimum (no colour magazines with updates from this lot) you know that nearly every penny of your donation is going towards the projects.

The key issue with Vegfam that separates it from the others is not just its respect for animals and its sense and logic regarding the use of resources, nor its ability to see a little go a long way, but in its ultimate goal to see the areas it helps to develop a future free from dependency on external aid. That is the key issue that is so often ignored by other charities.

This year more than ever, we are seeing a huge increase in charity giving, what with the Live Aid revival, the Make Poverty History campaign and of course the massive response to the appalling effects of the Tsunami and earthquake. Many of us have already given more this year than in the rest of our lives put together. Vegfam makes sure that your money goes further than anywhere else, and will no doubt be going into areas in 2005 that have missed out on the mainstream aid efforts that are going off around the world.

Yaoh are sponsoring Vegfam for 2005 and are printing and distributing leaflets and posters for them. Vegfam are special guests at the 2005 Bristol Vegan Fayre and will be exhibiting there.

CAMBODIA

Cambodia is still suffering from the aftermath of the murderous military administration of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Whilst there have been some advances in the six years since the death of the despot. Cambodiea remains one of the 20 poorest countries in the world. Years of warfare have combined with floods and drought to disrupt and destroy traditional food production systems, with the result that half of the children under five suffer from malnutrition.

Donations from Vegfam have helped fund a vegan organic home gardening programme in 22 villages in the Tbeng Meanchey District of Northern Cambodia, where people are suffering from the effects of poverty, inadequate food production and disabilities caused by landmines. The project was aimed at increasing food production and income generation at a household level by providing funds for the purchase and distribution of vegetable seeds and toolkits. Training was provided in composting, sustainable food production and income generation from the grown produce. Natural home made pesticides were used instead of hazardous chemicals.

This project has improved nutrition and food security and reduced the dependency on rice and foraged products from the forests (the continued existence of land mines makes access to forests limited and dangerous). Sustainable consumption methods of gardening help conserve natural resources and preserve biodiversity. Seeds from the last harvest are saved and used in subsequent plantings and income generated from the sale of surplus vegetables enables the purchase of further tools and seeds from the local market, helping ensure a future free from dependency on external aid.

TAJIKISTAN

More than 6,000 fruit and nut trees and vines were planted to improve the food supply to 1,000 vulnerable households, three orphanages and schools throughout 25 villages. Over 12,000 people in drought stricken areas will benefit from long term sources of food. Following on from civil war, these districts were severely damaged by drought in 1999 and 2000.

Repatriated refugees and relocated persons live in and around the villages that have been newly created or reconstructed, and the produce from the trees will provide essential nutrients on a long term basis, ensuring the districts have a future free from external aid as well as malnutrition.

Vegfam is a registered charity and was established in 1963.

www.veganvillage.co.uk/vegfam