Photo: Core-Visual

At the start of the pandemic, AFSC launched the Farm to Food Bank Project in New Mexico to connect small-scale farmers with food banks struggling to meet rising needs during the pandemic. 

As the director of AFSC’s New Mexico Program, I want to thank you for helping us bridge this critical gap.

Since March, we have provided more than 12,000 pounds of local, fresh produce—reaching thousands of community members in need. None of this would be possible without the support of the AFSC community and our partners.

AFSC country representative in Zimbabwe. 

In late March, as the first COVID-19 cases appeared in Zimbabwe, health care workers went on strike because of the lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs)—citing their incapacity to provide professional care without necessary preventative measures in place. Without health care workers, hospitals could not offer treatment and were forced to turn away patients with critical needs.

Watch our special update call on AFSC’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this week, UNICEF officials in the occupied Palestinian territory called for the immediate release of Palestinian children from Israeli military detention in light of the COVID-19 pandemic—a key voice joining the chorus of advocates, including AFSC, working to end these human rights violations.  

Emma Hattemer is an intern with AFSC's New York Healing Justice Program and New Jersey Prison Watch. She is a recent graduate of the Gallatin School of Individualized Study with a concentration in U.S. empire and peace.