The Government of Canada has announced that it will will match donations in response to severe food crises in Somalia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen and surrounding regions dollar-for-dollar through its new Famine Relief Fund.

Donations eligible for the match must be given to registered Canadian charities, such as Canadian Foodgrains Bank.

“The incredible number of people affected by such severe hunger right now is deeply troubling,” says Foodgrains Bank Executive Director Jim Cornelius. “I hope the match from the Canadian government will spur many more Canadians to donate to help people who are suffering.”

Through its members, the Foodgrains Bank has provided over $2.5 million worth of assistance to over 72,000 people in Somalia, Nigeria and South Sudan since January 2017.

When a donation is made to the Foodgrains Bank’s Famine Appeal, the Government of Canada will match that amount on a 1:1 basis.

Donations to the Foodgrains Bank that are designated to these crises are also eligible to be matched on a 4:1 basis through a regular ongoing grant agreement with the Government of Canada.