We have launched a global appeal for seed, to provide people living in refugee and IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps under Covid-19 curfews with the means to grow their own food and flowers.
We are working with UK seed giant Mr Fothergill’s to provide 100,000 packets of seed to people in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) in 2020.
Demand for seed and plants in camps in the KRI has significantly increased since all camps were closed to help combat the outbreak of Covid-19. Thousands of people have lost their jobs as a result of the outbreak and food shortages have been experienced in most camps in the region. In the last two weeks alone, we have distributed over 3,000 plants and seeds to over 1,000 families in Domiz 1 camp, home to over 30,000 people, near Duhok in the north of the region. Seed distributions are planned for a further seven camps over the next few weeks.
Mr Fothergill’s is supporting our ‘Gardener to Gardener’ Seed Appeal with a week-long promotion to its UK customers. For every packet of seed sold online in the first week of May, a packet will be donated to our seed appeal.
“We are all seeking refuge and solace in our gardens as Covid-19 completely disrupts our lives, but the need for personal green space and home gardens has never been greater in the camps where we support people to grow food and flowers. Limited space and resources make people creative and this is certainly true of the incredible gardeners we know in Kurdistan.”
Lemon Tree Trust Founder and CEO, Stephanie Hunt, pictured above during judging of LTT Garden Competitions 2019.
The global outbreak of Covid-19 means it has not been possible for us to run our popular garden competitions this year across the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. However, we are celebrating home gardens with a ‘virtual garden exhibition’ instead, encouraging residents to share photographs of their gardens in exchange for seeds and lemon trees. We are announcing winners every week and are sharing as many gardens as possible on our online galleries.
Aveen, our Operations Manager in KRI, says 'thank you' for your support of our Seed Appeal, on behalf of all camp gardeners.
"Thank you very much for your generous support and for your quick response to our emergency seed appeal. Over the past two weeks, we have distributed around 3,000 seedlings and seed kits for 1,000 families in Domiz 1 camp. But we need more seed and support so we can grow the food and flowers we need in all the camps we work in. With the spread of Covid-19, it has become better and better for us to stay at home, for our neighbours and the people we love. This gives us time to plant our gardens and other green spaces that we have here in camps. With your help, we can distribute seed safely to the people who need it. From me and all the gardeners in Domiz 1 camp, we thank you and wish you all the best."
Support our Seed Appeal
We're calling on gardeners everywhere to support people living in refugee and IDP camps who are desperate to plant food and flowers at their home shelters.
🌿 Buy seed online at Mr Fothergill’s from 1 - 7 May and equivalent seed will be donated to Lemon Tree Trust projects
🌿 Send us any spare seed for distribution in refugee and IDP camps. Email info@lemontreetrust.org for a UK or USA postal address
🌿 Donate directly to the appeal online at lemontreetrust.org/donate
