Manitos Children’s Fund is a fiscal project of the Alliance for Global Justice. As such, contributions are tax-deductible. US sanctions are harming Venezuelan children through the creation of food and medicine shortages.
Why do Venezuelan children need us to send them food? Venezuela was buying its own food on the international market until US sanctions (supported by Canada and other US allies) cut off its access to international markets. For Venezuela, billions of dollars in oil sales are blocked and the country’s access to its gold reserves and assets around the world are frozen. The blockade prevents the Venezuelan government from importing food and medicine even though they can pay for it.
Venezuela’s oil revenue has fallen precipitously because it can’t get drilling materials and spare parts and because international shippers are afraid the US will confiscate their ships like it did a Venezuela-owned tanker carrying oil to Cuba.
If Venezuela can’t sell its oil, it can’t earn foreign exchange to buy food. Second, most international financial transactions are carried out through a global banking system dominated by the United States. Banks do not process transactions from countries the US sanctions out of fear of fines and other penalties from the US government. Venezuela is making significant progress in growing its own food, but it cannot yet make up for the fact that it is cut off from international markets and the banking system.
Sanctions don’t hurt government and military leaders. They affect the children and the elderly, the poor and the sick. Venezuelans with HIV/AIDS have been unable to get their life-saving medicine for over a year. Kidney dialysis machines are breaking down and no parts are available. Insulin is scarce. Pre-natal maternal nutrition is below that of pre-sanctions levels. Infant mortality is increasing.
According to a study done by the Center for Economic Policy Research and economist Jeffrey Sachs, in 2017 and 2018 US sanctions contributed to the deaths of 40,000 Venezuelans who were unable to get medicines and medical procedures.
Humanitarian aid is fully legal under the sanctions law. Your donation is tax-deductible and will be matched. This is the perfect time to help the children. You can contribute online here or by sending a check to: Manitos Children’s Fund/AFGJ, 225 E 26th St, Ste. 1, Tucson, AZ 85713. To take advantage of the Matching Fund offer, write “Chicago” in the memo space.
