Christmas appeal launches

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) has launched its Christmas appeal, asking the public to donate to help families who are suffering on the frontline of the climate emergency.

Families in the world’s poorest places survive by growing just enough to feed themselves. However, the people SCIAF works with tell the charity their weather is becoming increasing unpredictable, extreme, and erratic.

Donations from this year’s Christmas appeal will help communities improve their farming so they can cope with these changes and provide for their families. SCIAF and its partners work in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

For Lonnex Failos, who was brought up to be a fisherman, the changing weather has shattered this livelihood and has had a devastating knock-on effect on his family in Malawi.

He said: “My parents raised me to fish. When I started, we’d make beautiful catches. But not anymore. Some of these fish types have completely disappeared. I couldn’t feed my children, let alone educate them and buy their books and uniforms.”

Alistair Dutton, chief executive of SCIAF, said: “Changing weather patterns are making farming all but impossible for families in many areas across the world. Without food or income, the cycle of poverty will continue and thousands will be forced to leave their homes in order to survive. We can’t let that happen.

“Let’s not lose any of the momentum for climate justice achieved at the big UN climate conference COP26 here in Scotland in November. Together, we can help people overcome the climate emergency they face. Help us give hope to farming families who are suffering today from the climate change we have created.”

While donations won’t make the weather less erratic, it will help the world’s poorest people put food on their tables. Donate today at sciaf.org.uk