COVID-19 INITIATIVE: RICE APPEAL FOR CHILDREN IN THE LUNGI AREA
The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is the defining global health crisis of our time and the greatest challenge we have faced since World War Two. The virus has spread to every continent except Antarctica. But the pandemic is much more than a health crisis, it is also an unprecedented socio-economic crisis, stressing every one of the countries it touches. Every day, people are losing jobs and income, with no way of knowing when normality will return. The International Labour Organization estimates that 195 million jobs could be lost. Sierra Leone, one of the world’s poorest countries in West Africa, confirmed its first case of coronavirus in early April 2020. A low-income country with limited intensive care capacity and a population of 7.8 million, the vast majority of its people lack the financial means to ‘stay at home’ or observe social distance. National lockdowns and social distancing measures means no work and no incomes, leaving families to worry how they will get enough to eat. In this area, many people -especially children- live hand to mouth and with lockdown in place, they are facing an uncertain future. As a response to this devastating crisis, Canadian Solar has made a donation to the “Rice Appeal” fundraising program to help supplying rice for underprivileged families. The Lungi Sierra Leone Charity set up the fundraising program to raise money to feed the children in the Lungi area during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each 50 kg rice bag feeds a family circle of 6-10 people for approximately 1 month. Canadian Solar exists to Make the Difference and we are so proud to support such a worthy cause in such a difficult time. Although the COVID-19 pandemic represents the most significant challenge of our time, we will come through this together.