Eating the same as a Burmese refugee: Australians take the Act for Peace Ration Challenge and raise

christianreview | 입력 : 2015/06/24 [06:35]
More than 1,500 people have raised over $385,000 during the 2015 Act for Peace Ration Challenge- enough to feed 1785 refugees for an entire year. Run by international aid agency Act for Peace, money raised will be going to make sure Burmese refugees have enough to eat by providing rations, seeds, tools and training as well as helping refugees around the world build safe, just and dignified lives.
The Act for Peace Ration Challenge asks Australians to eat the exact same rations as a Burmese refugee for one week during Refugee Week, June 14th-20th. Participants received a ration kit at the start of the week that comprised a small amount of split peas, salt, oil, flour and fish paste.
MasterChef Australia contestant from 2013, Rishi Desai, supported the challenge, providing recipes and tips to participants on how to best cook the limited rations. He said: Being part of the Ration Challenge made me realise the struggle refugees face getting a square meal everyday while we take our food for granted. I hope the recipes help with this challenge and raise awareness about the refugee struggle in our community.”
Participants from all over Australia agreed the challenge was tough, but worth it.
“During the ration challenge I experienced just a glimpse of how difficult life for a refugee must be. Living off rations was physically and mentally draining and made me realise how blessed we are to have what we do. At the end of the 7 days I was able to return to my normal life, a luxury that refugees do not have” – Don McGrath
“I was humbled and encouraged by the support of generous sponsors. Quite moved by knowing that together we have made a difference to so many people. Having lost 2kg in the ration challenge week and feeling quite tired at the end of every day, I was very conscious of the potential effects on people who are living on those rations for years. The problems of malnutrition must be enormous. The creative energy of so many fellow Ration Challengers is certainly a sign of hope for the future.” - Jeff Wild
Ration Challenge organiser Sadie Moore said that by taking the challenge, participants were not only supporting refugees around the world but also changing the conversation around refugees.
“Thank you to everyone who supported this year’s Ration Challenge. The challenge is a tangible way for people in Australia to stand up for refugees. The money raised will support refugees around the world and by taking action, Australians have brought the refugee struggle closer to home in a way that’s been impossible to ignore. Together we are making a difference for refugees and creating a more compassionate society”, Ms Moore said.


About

Act for Peace is the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia. We harness the power of passionate people to work together to achieve safety, justice and dignity in communities threatened by conflict and disaster.
 
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