The Masonic Charitable Foundation has awarded a grant of £100,000 to support the East Africa food crisis appeal. The MCF, which is funded by donations from Freemasons across England and Wales, was one of the first organisations to support the urgent appeal for famine relief. Over 20 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan and Somalia are on the brink of starvation.
The MCF responded to the appeal within hours by giving £100,000 to Plan International at 4pm on the 16th pf March evening. Since the launch of the appeal, the public and many other organisations have contributed to this crisis but a great deal more is needed.
David Innes, Chief Executive of the Masonic Charitable Foundation said: "The crisis in East Africa is one of the worst we have seen in many years and funds are needed now to provide lifesaving support to those affected. The Masonic Charitable Foundation is proud to be one of the first organisations to support this urgent appeal by providing a £100,000 grant to Plan International UK on behalf of Freemasons across England and Wales."
Tanya Barron, Chief Executive of Plan International UK, said: "We're enormously grateful to the Freemasons for their very generous grant. More than 800,000 children under five are severely malnourished. This grant will help us reach affected children and their families with urgent support."
For further information please contact:
Guy Roberts, Press Officer (groberts@MCF.org.uk | 020 7025 0539)
About Plan International UK
Plan International UK is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee, which this week launched an East Africa Crisis appeal. The DEC is made up of 13 leading aid agencies who together are responding to the food crisis in the region.
About the Masonic Charitable Foundation
The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the MCF awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities that help vulnerable people, advance medical research and provide opportunities for young people. The MCF also helps to fund vital services such as hospices and air ambulances and regularly contributes to worldwide appeals for disaster relief. In total, MCF support helps to improve the lives of thousands of people every year in England, Wales and internationally. As well as providing grants to charities, the MCF supports Masonic families with a financial, health or family need. Visit www.MCF.org.uk