* We are already witnessing many children going hungry *

Though the pandemic was slow to reach us in Africa, the World Health Organisation is now urging the continent to prepare for the worst.

We cannot predict the scale of what lay ahead - but with more than ten people sharing one small room, lack of access to water and no decent health care - we know that Corona will reach the poorest in our community and hit them the hardest.

Awamu help to supplement childrens food by including a school lunch in the support. But in response to the Corona Virus situation, the government have closed schools for one month. This means children do not have access to enough food.

This situation for the poorest families is being made worse by the closing of marketplaces (affecting both access to food and income from their own trading) and, as panic sets in, food prices continue to rise.

We are already witnessing many families going without meals and they wont be able to stock up in the event of a lock down. The situation puts families in even more danger as theyll have to put themselves and their family at risk in order to find food.

We need to act now to help keep children safe.

This is an urgent appeal for your help. We need your support to purchase and distribute urgent food supplies to the worst affected children and families.

£50 could provide food for a family for one month.

*community response*

As I write, our response to Corona Virus is being delivered by our team all community volunteers. Inspiring, determined women who give all their time and energy to help vulnerable children and adults in our community.

You may remember from my last message that thanks to Awamu supporters, they have already started to arm children and families with soap and sanitizer. And we are working with local government Health Officers to make sure our community has the right information to be able to protect themselves.

Theyre continuing to ensure children have access to their medication helping to reduce childrens need to travel and potential exposure to the virus. Through this work they have identified the children and families who are already being hit by the situation.

We know that this is a worrying time. The weeks ahead are going to be challenging for every one so I thank you from the bottom of my heart for any support you can give at this time.

Stay strong.

Florence and everyone at Awamu

Given the scale of the crisis and the numbers we need to support it is unlikely will exceed our funding need. If we do, any additional funds will be used for our work with orphaned children helping them to gain the education and skills that are vital to their future