The Year America Saved Russia from Starvation

This holiday season there is a gathering storm of famine. El Nino related drought threatens over ten million with food shortages in Ethiopia.  Millions of war victims are starving in Syria, Iraq, South Sudan and Yemen.

These hunger emergencies demand the world’s attention. We can look to history for inspiration and remember America’s greatest Christmas gift.

It was 1921 in Russia and an AP journalist had just attended a mass in the town of Volsk. As he was leaving the church, the priest rushed after him. He had a message he wanted the reporter to share with America: Please send food and save us from starvation!

See my commentary at the History News Network.

Hospital patients, students need food in Ukraine

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) said this week it’s started a distribution of food to 7,000 war victims in Eastern Ukraine. Teaming up with the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the food will be given to hospital patients and students.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Ukraine: hunger relief mission to increase

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) says it will be increasing the size of its relief mission in the Ukraine. Hunger continues to escalate there because of the conflict between the government and pro-Russian rebels.

Read the article at Examiner.

UN says food urgently needed in Ukraine

The United Nations says there is an urgent need to feed over 670,000 displaced persons in the Eastern Ukraine.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Ukraine: low funding threatens mission

The United Nations warns that its humanitarian mission in the Ukraine is in serious jeopardy due to lack of funds. The year long conflict between the government and pro-Russian rebels has caused massive displacement and disruption of basic services for civilians.

Read the article at Examiner.

Ukraine: pictures tell tale of suffering and hunger

A ceasefire is being reported tonight in the Ukraine. Violations have already occurred. There is also some other alarming news coming from the war-torn country.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Ukraine: trapped civilians low on food

The United Nations is reporting heavy fighting in the Ukraine, with more civilians fleeing for their lives. Some are now trapped in bomb shelters or basements, with little or no food, water and other basics

Read the full article at Examiner.

Ukraine War: Shelling and Hunger Killing Civilians

They were civilians standing in line at the Rinat Akhmetov Humanitarian Centre in Donetsk, Ukraine. This was aid they needed because of the war between the government and pro-Russian separatists.

Read the full article at The Huffington Post.

Urgent food needs in war-torn Ukraine

As fighting escalates in the Ukraine, so too is hunger. The war between Ukraine’s government and pro-Russian rebels is spiraling the country into a food emergency.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Ukraine fighting escalates, food needs grow

Fighting has intensified in the Eastern Ukraine between government forces and pro-Russian rebels. The country is also plunging deeper into a hunger crisis.

Read the full article at Examiner.

The Forgotten Wars in Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq

There is a terrifying enemy threatening civilians in war-torn Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. This is another foe besides the Taliban, Al Qaeda, the Syrian regime or ISIS.

Read the full article at The Huffington Post.

New year dawns with hunger crisis in Ukraine

As we head into the new year, a hunger crisis continues to grow in war-torn Ukraine. The government and pro-Russian rebels continue to battle in the Eastern Ukraine.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Ukraine: food shortages take their toll

My latest Huffington Post column was on the emergency food needs in the the war-torn Ukraine. Now comes further evidence of how hunger is escalating there.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Russia and WFP sign agreement to fight hunger

Russia and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) today signed an agreement on joint efforts to fight world hunger. WFP’s director, Ertharin Cousin, was in Moscow today to sign the agreement with foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Ukraine: an update on hunger relief mission

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) says it only has about a third of the funds needed to provide aid in the Ukraine. Hunger has escalated as the war between the government and pro-Russian rebels has continued despite a ceasefire.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Food and water needed for Ukraine's war victims

The humanitarian crisis in the Eastern Ukraine continues to grow. A ceasefire was signed back in September between the government and pro-Russian rebels. It’s been ignored thousands of times.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Ukraine: teacher brings sunshine for war victims

As war has devastated the Eastern Ukraine, the stress on civilians has been both material and psychological. Over a million people have been forced from their homes.

Read the full article at Examiner.

Hunger a gathering storm in Ukraine

As fighting continues in Eastern Ukraine, the UN says that food, medicine and other aid must be allowed to reach trapped civilians.


Read the full article at Examiner.

Ukraine crisis: WFP aid starts in Donetsk

The war in Ukraine has displaced families and taken away their livelihoods. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is helping them with food vouchers.

Read the full article at Examiner.