/24-7PressRelease/ - January 04, 2008 - Chefs for Humanity (CFH) has launched the Wawa Boom Project, the development of a plan to assist the Wawa Boom community in Nicaragua over the next two years, it was announced by CFH founder Chef Cat Cora. CFH will help with immediate recovery needs and the re-development of a sustainable economy and lifestyle.
The Wawa Boom Project, with support of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Northern Atlantic Autonomous Region (RAAN), was launched following a field visit to Nicaragua and Honduras December 3 - 8, 2007. The field entourage, including Chef Cora and Acting Executive Director Diane Burstein, studied the challenges facing the area, including child under-nutrition, poverty, the impact of climate change and the devastation caused by Hurricane Felix as well as observed the positive impact of school feeding programs.
"After spending nearly a week in the area, we have a better understanding of what Chefs for Humanity can do to assist with the WFP's continuing efforts," said Chef Cora. "In addition to food, the community needs shoes and boots, soap, tools and other necessities for re-building and planting. Through the generosity of our core group of supporters and much-needed help from the general public, we can make a sustainable difference in the lives of the people of Wawa Boom."
Wawa Boom is a transit corridor between the Pacific and the Central area of Nicaragua. Due to the lack of a bridge on the Wawa River, people are ferried across the river. After hurricane Felix, the river flooded and all the houses were damaged, forcing the community to settle in temporary shelters made of wood and plastic. The settlement is located 37 kilometers west of Puerto Cabezas and is accessed through a dirt road.
Most of the inhabitants of the new settlement come from the Wawa Boom community; however, some families are from nearby riverbank communities (Siksikwas and Skuby River). There are 72 makeshift shelters as well as USAID donated tents that lodge 347 people, out of which 77 are children less than five years of age. Water comes from recently excavated wells and is later filtered. The community has no electricity, no latrines and limited medical care and schooling.
WFP is providing food rations for everybody at the camp through the Emergency Operation which assists hurricane Felix victims. Other organizations are complementing WFP assistance, providing food rations, as well as plastic and other materials to improve their shelters. The community has received seeds, including corn and beans, which are being planted in their fields two hours from the settlement.
During Phase One of the WaWa Boom Project, CFH will coordinate with local officials to purchase basic necessities, including shoes for the children, dishes, cooking pots, rubber boots for men, soap, instant milk, canned fish, sugar, flour and corn. In addition, the organization will purchase tools for rebuilding and planting, including machetes for each family, a community chain saw, axes, lumber, nails, and hammers.
Phase Two and Three will consist of building solid living shelters and a school; a potential volun-tourism program in November 2008 to bring man power and supplies to the community for rebuilding; and the development of sustainable enterprise for the community. Under consideration as enterprises are agricultural solutions, solar stoves, a cooperative childcare facility and additional food program support.
"We understand that there are many people in need and much to do toward the re-development of a sustainable economy and lifestyle in WaWa Boom and other parts of the region," said Ms. Burstein. "However, we believe we are on a positive and solid track to helping the WFP and other organizations tackle the problems in a useful and systematic way. We look forward to seeing the outpouring of support from the United States and around the world as the CFH takes another step toward reducing hunger."
To make donations and learn more about the Chefs for Humanity WaWa Boom Project, visit http://www.chefsforhumanity.org or call (646) 546-0644. For another interactive way to help reduce hunger, visit http://www.freerice.com.
Chefs for Humanity is an alliance of culinary professionals and educators working in partnership with United States and global organizations to provide nutrition education, hunger relief and emergency and humanitarian aid to reduce hunger around the world.
Video footage and still photographs are available.
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