SAFETY
Safeguarding Children and Adults We Serve
Our Commitment
Food for the Hungry (FH) believes that all people are made in the image of God and should be treated with respect, honored for their intrinsic value, and cared for in ways that glorify God. We envision all relationships restored, every person nurtured, and communities transformed.
Unfortunately, abuse and the exploitation of vulnerable people, especially children, who participate in the programs of organizations like FH, is a very real and growing problem around the world. Stories of abuse are in news headlines every day. It is FH’s duty and responsibility to protect children, vulnerable communities, and our employees.
FH holds a zero-tolerance policy and will not tolerate abuse and/or exploitation by employees or anyone conducting business on behalf of FH. FH is committed to instituting safeguarding measures through prevention, reporting, and response.
Safeguarding Policy
FH’s Safeguarding Policy was created from our commitment to biblical values and will ensure the promotion of human rights, specifically, protection from unintentional harm as well as deliberate abuse within FH and its partners. It is of utmost importance for us to take the steps necessary to prevent and respond to abuse.
Reporting
Are you concerned that a child or adult participant in FH’s programs is at risk? Do you have a concern about an FH employee’s behavior? Do you have any other safeguarding concerns?
If you have safeguarding concerns related to the behavior of FH employees or about harm, neglect, and sexual exploitation/abuse of children or vulnerable groups in FH operations, you can:
- Visit FH’s confidential reporting web portal, EthicsPoint
- Call 1.888.222.1949
- Call the country-specific numbers provided on the EthicsPoint page
- Send an email to safeguarding-claim@fh.org.
Please join Food for the Hungry staff in preventing and responding to any form of abuse.
Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
All reported concerns are evaluated and investigated according to FH policies. If inappropriate behavior is confirmed, consequences may include dismissal from FH and reporting the incident to law enforcement authorities. The immediate safety and long-term recovery is our priority for children and vulnerable people, and FH will provide support to survivors.
Sponsorship and Child Protection
Children are among the vulnerable populations that FH is committed to protecting as part of our safeguarding policy. Please visit our child protection page for more information about engaging with your sponsored child and how FH approaches child protection for those in our sponsorship program and all of our communities.
FH is a member of InterAction and we have signed the CEO Pledge on Preventing Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Harassment by and of NGO Staff.
