Traidcraft Exchange update

A letter from Traidcraft Exchange Chief Executive, Charlotte Timson regarding the India and Bangladesh COVID situation.

Dear Friends,

You will have seen on the news the devastating impact that COVID is having in India. Every day, we see more and more people struggling to get their families and friends to hospitals, to get access to oxygen. It is a desperate situation.

At Traidcraft Exchange, we are doing everything we can to keep our staff, partners and the communities we work with safe. There isn’t anyone who is unaffected. Everyone is doing what they can to help colleagues who are sick and whose families need urgent help.

I’m sad to say, that the situation is far worse than the official data being shared would have us believe. COVID is spreading into the rural areas. Villages that were isolated and protected from the virus last year are now being affected. And while the major cities might have been locked down, social distancing isn’t possible in these communities.

While Bangladesh has mostly stayed out of the news, this new wave has already started to spread. The situation there is getting worse by the day. Hospitals are overwhelmed in Dhaka and oxygen supplies are running out. Many of the communities we work with have little or no healthcare to rely on. We are doing what we can to help in this emergency. We are ensuring people have correct information about COVID. We have been working hard to ensure marginalised populations are included in local government vaccinations programmes, where these have existed. And we are coordinating with others, to ensure that people know where to get help.

And beyond this immediate health crisis, there is the growing economic crisis. Homeworkers in India’s garment sector have no work. Migrant workers have had to travel once again back to their villages, without work or food. Small scale farmers who are harvesting their crops can’t sell them in the markets.

Thanks to the support that many of you gave last year to our Recovery Appeal, we’ve already been able to support some of the communities most affected. And we know that we will have a lot to do to help people survive and recover again. Once again, we are working closely with our partners to revise our plans and will share more with you in coming weeks.

But right now, I wanted to write to share something of how serious this situation is - and to reassure you that we are doing everything we can to support the people we work with in India and Bangladesh.

We will be in touch with more information as soon as we can.

Charlotte Timson

Chief Executive, Traidcraft Exchange

Pictured left to right: Maveen Pereira, Director of Programmes Traidcraft Exchange, Jude Allen, Traidcraft plc, James Cross Urban Green Newcastle CEO, Sarah Capes Urban Green Ranger Team Leader

Tree planting nears target… and there’s still time to get involved and Plant an Acre!

As part of the Regenerators appeal you’ve helped us raise enough money to plant a whopping 580 acres of fruit trees – that’s the equivalent of 387 football pitches.

We’re hoping to plant a total of 630 acres – with just 50 acres still to be sponsored, can you help us get over the line and sponsor an acre for just £50?

Each acre sponsored will help the Regenerators grow trees which will help them restore their land and their livelihoods for generations to come. The Plant an Acre initiative started on Earth Day and has been supported by Urban Green Newcastle and our friends at Traidcraft plc alongside other community groups and businesses. A tree was planted in Heaton Park, Newcastle in solidarity with the Regenerators to mark the beginning of the initiative Maveen Pereira, Head of Programmes at Traidcraft Exchange, explains how these trees will make a difference:

“The climate crisis is happening now and those most vulnerable are being hit the hardest. Drought and flooding - desert summers and bitter winters - lightning strikes and river erosion mean the crops needed to feed families are failing. By using green technology and planting new, climate resistant trees to protect their land, communities can fight back against the climate crisis.” Traidcraft spokesperson Jude Allen said: “We’ve pledged to raise £4000 to plant 80 acres of trees to support the Plant an Acre initiative. Plant an Acre gives us, as a business, the opportunity to add to our commitment to fight back against climate change while supporting producers. It’s also a great way to support our sister charity and get staff involved in something so positive coming out of lockdown.” Our aim is to have planted 630 acres of trees by the time the Regenerators Appeal ends on 7th June – but we need your help!.

Can you help us get over the line? Click the button below

to Plant an Acre. Please note, any monies raised over and above the amount need to plant trees will support our wider work on similar projects around the world.

A gift in your will is a catalyst for change

For information on how to leave a gift in your will to Traidcraft Exchange, and create a better, fairer world for generations to come, please see

traidcraftexchange.org/legacy Every gift of any size makes a difference to the futures of families, now and long into the future.

Make a day, change a life

Our range of charity gifts are a great way to keep your card drawer stocked – all while supporting the Regenerators in their fight against climate change. See our two new climatethemed cards below or shop the full range.

Get your Gifts for Life DOUBLED until the 7th of June!