A young woman from Hadfield is living on Syrian refugee rations for a week, to raise money for emergency food and healthcare.

Nineteen-year-old Olivia Smyth starts her ration challenge on June 13. She’ll receive the same amount of food as individuals in a refugee camp in Jordan.  

Her rations are as follows; Rice 1.92kg, Flour 400g, Lentils 170g, Dried chickpeas 85g, Tinned sardines 120g, Kidney beans 400g, Vegetable oil 300ml.  

The money Olivia raises throughout the challenge will fund essential support to refugees. There are over 80 million refugees and asylum seekers across the globe, the largest number since records began. In the aftermath of the pandemic, these people are facing even more devastating hunger.  

£3.50 in donations supplies food rations for 7 days and £34 provides a Covid-19 testing kit for a refugee family. Olivia’s donations amount to more than £100 so far, enough to fund a family trip to a medical centre. 

Olivia added: “I’m currently studying criminology and that’s one of the reasons why I decided to take part in the ration challenge, as I have learnt about the misconceptions and difficulties refugees face.  

“I didn’t know about the challenge until I saw it on Instagram. I thought it was a great way to challenge myself and try to make a bit of a difference in this world.” 

Currently at The University of Sheffield, the challenge takes place over Olivia’s exam celebrations. She’ll join her friends to mark the end of the challenge and toast to the end of her school year on June 19.  

To donate to Olivia, go to rationchallenge.org.uk/olivia-smyth

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