Influencers – Página 72

Oregon’s Toxic-Free Kids Program Relies on ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Testing Laboratories

FREDERICK, Md., March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Effective March 1st, 2021 the Oregon Health Authority has completed «Phase 3 Rulemaking» of the Toxic-Free Kids Act, a law requiring manufacturers of children’s products sold in Oregon to report and ultimately remove certain high priority chemicals of concern for children’s health (HPCCCH). This law is intended to reduce children’s exposure to chemicals of concern and improve scientific understanding of how children may be exposed to such chemicals. This new portion of the Toxic-Free Kids Act allows manufacturers to demonstrate the safety of their products by having them tested at laboratories that have been accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 by an accreditation body that is a signatory of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) mutual recognition arrangement.

The Toxic-Free Kids Act requires manufacturers of children’s products with annual worldwide gross sales of $5 million or greater to submit a biennial notice to the Oregon Health Authority detailing any products that contain high priority chemicals of concern for children’s health (HPCCCH) at or above Oregon regulated levels. This new Phase 3 Rulemaking provides measures for manufacturers to request an exemption. The exemption must include adequate evidence that the contaminant is being controlled, including periodic laboratory test reports from a third-party laboratory accredited to the current ISO/IEC 17025 standard by an accrediting body that is a signatory to ILAC mutual recognition arrangement. The laboratory must be accredited for the method used to conduct the testing.

Mr. Randy Querry, Director of Government Relations at the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), provided testimony in support of ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. He also encouraged the adoption of the ILAC approach for the Oregon Toxic-Free Kids Program. «By relying on an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory, the Oregon Health Authority can be assured that the laboratories are operating independently by demonstrating that they meet requirements for impartiality.» Mr. Querry explained. «Additionally, they can be certain that laboratories have appropriate testing facilities, calibrated equipment, validated methods, competent personnel, and an effective quality management system implemented. Likewise, by relying on the ILAC MRA framework, the Oregon Health Authority can expect the accrediting bodies to be operating impartially, using expert technical assessors and competent staff initiating the accreditation processes. The accreditation bodies themselves have been through a rigorous evaluation process in order to achieve global recognition. The Oregon consumer can be confident that the children’s products they purchase are safer.»

A2LA is an organization that advocates for the value and acceptance of third-party accreditation as an indicator of quality, impartiality, and competence. For more information on A2LA’s ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation program, visit a2la.org/accreditation/toxic-free-kids-act. For more information on the Oregon Toxic-Free Kids Act, visit the dedicated page on Oregon.gov.

About A2LA
A2LA is a non-profit, non-governmental, third-party accreditation body, offering internationally recognized accreditation services to testing and calibration laboratories, sampling organizations, inspection bodies, proficiency testing providers, reference material producers, biobanking facilities, and product certifiers. Founded in 1978, A2LA is one of the largest and most recognized accreditation bodies in the world, and is committed to a culture of quality, integrity, community, accountability, and leadership.

Media Contact

Randy Querry, A2LA, 301.644.3221, rquerry@A2LA.org

SOURCE A2LA

ReTo Eco-Solutions Boosts Revenue Momentum with New RMB 10.71 Million Sales Contract

BEIJING, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: RETO) («ReTo» or the «Company»), a provider of technology solutions for the improvement of ecological environments, today announced that its wholly owned operating unit Ruitu Mingsheng Environmental Protection Building Materials (Changjiang) Co., Ltd., won a sales contract worth RMB 10.71 million with Sanya Guohong Municipal Engineering Construction Co., Ltd., an influential State-owned enterprise…

The two companies plan to expand the use of ReTo Eco-Solutions’ environmentally friendly materials and equipment in construction projects, including ReTo’ patented retaining bricks, which are used in a wide range of applications from construction and beatification projects to protection facilities in natural disasters including landslides and other disasters.

Mr. Li Hengfang, ReTo’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, «We continue to execute on our high-value, multi-stage business model, as we focus on building momentum and driving profitable revenue growth. With inherent sustainability and higher profit margins, our proprietary processing technology and equipment reduce the cost of waste by recapturing otherwise lost value in the recycling system. Importantly, we are right in the middle of the fast growing, global clean energy tech space, where demand far outstrips capacity. We continue to invest in our growth in support of our increased customer demand. At the same time, we are preparing for a future in which full value capture recycling will be the norm for manufacturers and municipalities across the globe.»

About ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: RETO)

Founded in 1999, ReTo (NASDAQ: RETO), through its proprietary technologies, systems and solutions, is striving to bring clean water and fertile soil to communities worldwide. The Company offers a full range of products and services, ranging from the production of environmentally-friendly construction materials, environmental protection equipment, and manufacturing equipment used to produce environmentally-friendly construction materials, to project consulting, design, and installation for the improvement of ecological environments, such as ecological soil restoration through solid waste treatment. For more information, please visit: http://en.retoeco.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as «may,» «will,» «intend,» «should,» «believe,» «expect,» «anticipate,» «project,» «estimate,» or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Specifically, the Company’s statements regarding: 1) the ability of additional features and customized configurations on its machinery and equipment products to attract new customers; 2) the ability of the growth of its business to resume in the near future; and 3) the further spread of COVID-19 or the occurrence of another wave of cases and the impact it may have on the Company’s operations are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company’s goals and strategies; the Company’s future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of the construction industry in China; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.

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SOURCE ReTo Eco-Solutions, Inc.

Marriott International to Provide Associates Financial Award for COVID-19 Vaccination

BETHESDA, Md., March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) today announced it has created the Vaccination Care Program, which will provide a financial award to U.S. and Canadian associates at its managed properties who get vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees will receive the equivalent of four hours of pay upon completion of the vaccination.

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Marriott International supports global vaccination efforts to help bring the devastating COVID-19 pandemic under control. To encourage our associates to get vaccinated, we are also providing education on the benefits of vaccination and directing leaders to allow for schedule flexibility for vaccination appointments. Although the company is strongly encouraging associates get vaccinated, vaccination is not mandated.

«The health and safety of our people is our top priority. Our goal for the Vaccination Care Program is to remove potential obstacles to getting vaccinated so our associates can put their health first and have peace of mind,» said Dr. David Rodriguez, Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Marriott International. «Marriott International is confident that vaccination is a key measure, along with mask wearing, social distancing and stepped-up cleanliness protocols and hygiene practices in minimizing the spread of COVID-19. As vaccines become more widely available, this will create a safer environment for all associates, and we believe that consumer confidence to travel again will increase significantly and help the rebound of the travel and tourism sector. We appreciate the support from our managed hotel owners, and encourage the industry and our franchisees to offer flexibility and incentives to their associates as a vital step in our industry’s recovery.»

In April 2020, to elevate its cleanliness standards and hospitality norms and behaviors to meet the new health and safety challenges presented by the current pandemic environment, Marriott International created the Marriott Global Cleanliness Council to tackle the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic at the hotel level and further advance the company’s efforts in this area. The Marriott Global Cleanliness Council is focused on developing the next level of global hospitality cleanliness standards, norms and behaviors that are designed to minimize risk and enhance safety for consumers and Marriott associates alike.

Marriott International sees the broad distribution and adoption of vaccines—for travelers and industry employees—as key drivers of economic recovery. Recent research indicates that half of consumers in the U.S. see vaccine distribution as key to travel. For many consumers, vaccination is a gating factor to their ability to confidently get back on the road for leisure or business travel.*

Marriott has consistently been recognized for its outstanding workplace programs. For a comprehensive list, please visit Awards and Recognition.

*Destination Analysts Coronavirus Travel Sentiment Index Report, January 18, 2021

About Marriott International

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 7,600 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 133 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy™, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

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SOURCE Marriott International, Inc.

FAIR: Xavier Becerra is the Wrong Man to Head HHS as a Flood of Migrants Strains Department Resources

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The following statement was issued by Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), in opposition to the nomination of Xavier Becerra to lead the Department of Health and Human Services:

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«FAIR’s strong concerns about the fitness of Xavier Becerra to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are clearly reflected in the Senate Finance Committee’s failure to support his nomination.

«HHS is faced with unprecedented strains on its resources as the lead federal agency tasked with dealing with the COVID crisis. The Biden administration’s reckless immigration policies have triggered another border crisis and a growing surge of people coming across our borders and multiplying demands on public health resources. Moreover, because HHS is also responsible for the care and housing of unaccompanied children entering the country illegally, the burden on agency personnel and resources will be even greater.

«Unfortunately, Becerra repeatedly demonstrated during his time in Congress and as attorney general of California that his interests rest with those of illegal aliens not the American people. In California, Becerra was among those leading the effort to divert state resources to provide publicly subsidized health care coverage to illegal aliens, even as countless other urgent needs were neglected.

«As secretary of HHS, it is almost certain that Becerra will divert much-needed assets to accommodate the needs of a growing number of illegal aliens, and away from Americans affected by the COVID pandemic.

«As such, FAIR urges the U.S. Senate to reject his nomination as HHS secretary and demand that President Biden appoint someone who will serve the needs of the American people to lead the department.»

Contact: Matthew Tragesser, 202-328-7004 or mtragesser@fairus.org

ABOUT FAIR
Founded in 1979, FAIR is the country’s largest immigration reform group. With over 3 million members and supporters nationwide, FAIR fights for immigration policies that serve national interests, not special interests. FAIR believes that immigration reform must enhance national security, improve the economy, protect jobs, preserve our environment, and establish a rule of law that is recognized and enforced.

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SOURCE Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR)

Plan your summer escape with new flights between California and Montana

SEATTLE, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Alaska Airlines today announced four new routes between California and Montana for the summer, increasing total jet service to seven nonstop routes between the two states.

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The newest «Sun and Fun» additions will connect Los Angeles and San Diego with Kalispell, Montana, and connect San Diego and San Francisco with Bozeman, Montana. The Los Angeles and San Diego flights start May 20, and the San Francisco flight starts June 17. They’ll operate through Sept. 7.

«For those ready to makes moves this summer, we’re excited to better connect California with Montana,» said Brett Catlin, Alaska’s vice president of network and alliances. «We’ve long offered access to some of the best vacation destinations from Southern California and continue to see opportunities to grow our footprint in the region.»

This added summer flying builds on year-round service on three nonstop routes that connect San Diego with Missoula, Montana, and connect Los Angeles with Bozeman and Missoula.

Tickets for the new flights are available at alaskaair.com with one-way fares starting as low as $69 to and from Bozeman and as low as $89 to and from Kalispell.

Start Date	End Date	City Pair	Frequency	Aircraft
May 20, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021	Los Angeles – Kalispell	W, Sa	E175
May 20, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021	San Diego – Kalispell	M, F, Sa	E175
May 20, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021	San Diego – Bozeman	T, W, Th, Sa, Su	E175
June 17, 2021	Sept. 7, 2021	San Francisco – Bozeman	Sa	E175

The new routes will be served by the Embraer 175 jet, a jet aircraft with only window and aisle seating – no middle seats. On all the new routes, guests will enjoy award-winning service in a three-class cabin that includes First Class and Premium Class; Most Free Movies in the Sky with hundreds of movies and TV shows available for viewing on personal devices; free texting on most flights; and Wi-Fi connectivity for purchase.

Kalispell’s Glacier Park International Airport is in northwest Montana’s Flathead Valley, which encompasses the gateway to Glacier National Park, Whitefish Mountain Resort and Flathead Lake — the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the definition of «Big Sky Country» and about 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. Surrounded by mountains and rivers, Bozeman offers fishermen and hikers an abundance of options. Fly fish for trout on the Gallatin, Yellowstone, and Missouri Rivers. Follow Highway 191 for views of snow-capped mountains in Gallatin Canyon.

Global reach: With the oneworld alliance and Alaska’s Global Partners, Alaska’s guests can connect at gateway airports on the West Coast – such as Los Angeles and San Francisco – to fly to more than 900 destinations around the world. Flyers can also earn and redeem miles with the airline’s highly-acclaimed Mileage Plan program.

Alaska Airlines serves six cities in Montana: Billings, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula.

Alaska Airlines serves 15 cities in California: Burbank, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Ontario, Orange County, Palm Springs, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Sonoma.

About Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines and its regional partners serve more than 115 destinations across the United States and North America. The airline provides essential air service for our guests along with moving crucial cargo shipments, while emphasizing Next-Level Care. Alaska is known for low fares, award-winning customer service and sustainability efforts. Guests can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 800 destinations worldwide with Alaska and its Global Partners. On March 31, 2021, Alaska will officially become a member of the oneworld global alliance. Learn more about Alaska at newsroom.alaskaair.com and http://blog.alaskaair.com. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air are subsidiaries of Alaska Air Group (NYSE: ALK).

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SOURCE Alaska Airlines

Historic Anti-Corruption Bill «For The People Act» Passes House

WASHINGTON, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — RepresentUs applauds the House for passing the most important anti-corruption bill since Watergate, the For the People Act. The bill would end partisan gerrymandering, secure and modernize our elections, and halt big money’s control of politics.

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RepresentUs members delivered a petition with nearly 20,000 signatures supporting the bill to Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Monday. Members also made thousands of calls to members of Congress using our For the People Act online resource hub.

«Washington is more polarized, unstable, and broken than at any time since the Civil War. A mob stormed the US Capitol, people are losing faith in democracy, and special interests’ grip on Congress is stronger than ever. The For the People Act fixes the root cause of the dysfunction,» said RepresentUs CEO Josh Silver. «The fight to get the bill through the Senate has just begun and RepresentUs is unifying conservatives, moderates, and progressives in support of this historic legislation.»

The For the People Act has supermajority support from voters across the political spectrum, as two thirds of Americans support the bill. But we know there will be an enormous effort to stop this legislation in its tracks. That’s why RepresentUs is launching a multi-million dollar campaign to get the For the People Act passed to counter efforts like the one launched by Ken Cuccinelli. RepresentUs has raised $3 million and is actively raising the remaining funds.

«The For the People Act is not a power grab by either party. Instead it fixes the actual power grab by politicians who stack the deck to keep themselves in power through gerrymandering, campaign donations and voter suppression,» said Silver.

RepresentUs produced this fun and easy-to-understand video explaining what is in the For the People Act.

The For the People Act would implement a large portion of the policies RepresentUs has been pushing for in the American Anti-Corruption Act, our model legislation designed in 2012. RepresentUs took a leading role in defending our elections in 2020. To date, our movement to put voters first has passed more than 120 transformative laws and resolutions in cities and states across the country.

RepresentUs is the nation’s largest grassroots anti-corruption campaign, bringing together conservatives, progressives, and everyone in between to pass anti-corruption laws in cities and states to stop political bribery, end secret money, and fix our broken elections.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Rachel Barnhart, PR Director
rbarnhart@represent.us

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SOURCE RepresentUs

The Sun Company Offers Solutions to Help Texas Address Future Weather Events

TUSCON, Ariz., March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — A bitter snowstorm wreaked havoc on Texas, crippling the state’s power grid and leaving millions of residents without heat, water and electricity. The most dramatic climate event of the year highlights the acceleration of extreme weather and why traditional utilities need to react and adapt to the changing times.

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The most dramatic climate event of the year highlights why traditional utilities need to react and adapt to the changing

The Sun Company offers a blueprint for forward-thinking change that minimizes the impact of service disruptions. It starts with adopting diversified renewable energy solutions like geothermal, solar and battery storage. Renewable offerings paint a picture of a Texas grid with multiple energy streams, providing true resiliency in the face of disasters.

These solutions also benefit from the opportunity to scale and adapt, making them an innovative solution for governments, businesses and the residential homeowner.

During the height of the polar vortex, some Texans used social media to show how renewable solutions helped. Many utilitized a combination of solar energy and storage that provided hours of electric power and heat independent of the state grid. Solutions like these can help reduce the impact of future disruptions.

The value of these solutions doesn’t stop there. Homes on the electric grid can count on regular rate increases, which averaged 3% per year over the past decade, and many Texans with flexible rates will pay thousands for what limited energy they did receive during the crisis. Solar energy and storage, by contrast, offer a predictable rate that’s much lower and untethered from demand spikes. It represents energy independence for the home or business (a.k.a. retrofit and microgrid solutions).

The Sun Company developed a new storage solution that will provide even more stability in the future. The top batteries in use today typically provide 4 to 8 hours of energy in situations where they are not gaining additional supply. Arriving in late 2022, the new TSC Flow Battery will feature dramatically increased capacity and efficiency that can provide up to five days of power without a recharge. This type of energy storage is unseen and unparalleled in the current market.

Renewable energy is the way of the future. By pulling from multiple renewable resources, residents in every state can benefit from reliable, cost-saving solutions that provide resilience, security and independence.

For more information on how homes and businesses can achieve energy independence with renewable solutions, please contact info@thesuncompany.us.

Contact:
Katie Montgomery
kmontgomery@thesuncompany.us

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SOURCE The Sun Company

Which is better: Porsche vs. Mercedes? Luxury Cars A2Z answers the questions

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — When it comes to luxury vehicles, few names project a more luxurious image than Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. In fact, both of these brands are well-known for their luxury and comfort. So, when you’re trying to decide which of these two vehicles to purchase, you certainly have a lot to consider. How do you choose?

When you are trying to figure out what car to buy, there are a billion questions you need answered. A lot of them probably feel too…

When you are trying to figure out what car to buy, there are a billion questions you need answered. A lot of them probably feel too simple or dumb to ask your friends, but without an answer to your question you might very well end up with the wrong car for you.

Luxury Cars A2Z is here to help

Which Is Better: Mercedes or Porsche? If you have questions like this, it used to be difficult to get a good answer. The new service LuxuryCarsA2Z.com is here to help, even with the most specific questions. Questions like this are important to find an answer to, especially an answer that isn’t biased towards a particular brand for one reason or another.

If you ask a friend who owns a Porsche, he would most likely just recommend Porsche because it is the one he knows and loves. If you ask the sales guy, do you think he would lean toward the one where he gets the higher commission?

Luxury Cars A2Z’s authors are people with a broad knowledge of cars. They are, of course, people with opinions like everyone else, but they aren’t paid to recommend one product or car over another. They give you their answer to the simple, yet complex questions you might have about cars.

CONTACT:

writeus@luxurycarsa2z.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/ritzenhofen-web-aps/r/which-is-better–porsche-vs–mercedes–luxury-cars-a2z-answers-the-questions,c3267292

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SOURCE Ritzenhofen Web Aps

COVID-19 And Climate Shocks Driving Dramatic Increase In Hunger In Latin America, New Studies Find

NEW YORK, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — More than 85 percent of families living in rural areas across Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras face food insecurity, according to a household survey conducted by a coalition of humanitarian and development organizations, including Action Against Hunger, a leader in the global fight against hunger. Two additional…

Even before the pandemic, more than 39% of people in Central America suffered from food insecurity, and new data suggests the pandemic and extreme weather could cause this number to triple in many parts of this region.

«Although Latin America has more than 19 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, the people we serve say they are more afraid of hunger than the virus,» said Miguel García, Action Against Hunger’s Regional Director for Central America. «Those who depended on informal daily labor have lost their incomes because of movement restrictions. In the markets, food is increasingly expensive because of the pandemic’s economic and commercial consequences.»

One of the most critical areas is known as the Dry Corridor, which extends from Nicaragua to Guatemala and includes parts of El Salvador and Honduras, where the World Food Program says at least 1.4 million people are in need of food assistance. Action Against Hunger and its partners surveyed thousands of households in this region in October and November 2020. In one sample of 3,700 homes, 86% of families were experiencing food insecurity.

Adding to the socioeconomic damage caused by the pandemic are the impacts of severe drought in 2018 and 2019, along with hurricanes Iota and Eta, which hit the region in November 2020 and caused displacement and crop loss. Families faced with extreme poverty and hunger have gone into debt, resorted to borrowing from family or friends, or are selling their scarce possessions.

«Government protection programs for people in the worst socioeconomic situations can prevent millions of people from falling into misery. Yet, the roll out of these programs has been extremely uneven across the region, and millions of people not getting the support they need, including nutritious food,» García explained.

Action Against Hunger and its partners, with the support of the European Union, has set up a support network that has provided food assistance and prevented more than 50,000 people in rural communities in the Dry Corridor from reaching emergency hunger levels.

Additional new data shows increasing poverty and hunger in Colombia and Peru as well. In a separate survey of 34,000 families in Colombia, 98% said they could not meet all of their basic needs, including food and housing. The tight living conditions among migrant families also increases the potential spread of COVID-19. The survey of Colombians, Venezuelans and bi-nationals living in Colombia was conducted by Action Against Hunger and its partners over the course of the pandemic, from April 2020 through January 2021.

«More than 58% reported living in overcrowded conditions,» said John Orlando, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Colombia. «13% of the time, as many as five people are forced to share a tiny bedroom.»

In Peru, household incomes have fallen by an average of 33%. The «common pots» (or «ollas communes») – self-managed community kitchens that are primarily run by women – have become an escape from hunger for thousands of Peruvians.

«According to our survey of 222 families in metropolitan Lima, 8 out of 10 families saw their incomes fall. Three out of four of those surveyed are food insecure. Venezuelan families, large numbers of whom have arrived seeking refuge in recent years, are particularly impacted,» América Arias, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Peru, noted. «Especially worrying is reduced iron in diets, which is key to fighting anemia.»

Cash assistance is one of the most effective humanitarian interventions in this crisis. «On the one hand, it is a dignified alternative, which gives people the option of how to address their most urgent needs,» said Orlando. «Well-run cash transfer programs also allow the most vulnerable to engage with the local economy. This injection of cash in the marketplace also strengthens the local economies in the communities where these families live.»

Action Against Hunger is calling for $78 million from the international community to fund its three-pronged regional response that includes:

Humanitarian relief for families by providing food and cash assistance, treatment for malnutrition, as well as hygiene materials and protective equipment for COVID-19 prevention.
Community support by strengthening health systems and clinics and small business support to stimulate job creation.
Data collection and analysis to assess the distinctive drivers of hunger on a local level and tailor interventions with local partners.

«We want to step up as a safety net of last resort for the thousands of people who are going hungry as a result of the pandemic. We are trying to improve nutrition and access to water, and help people get their livelihoods back. We’re going to work tirelessly to achieve this,» said Benedetta Lettera, Desk Officer for Action Against Hunger’s programs in Latin America.

More Details

Action Against Hunger conducted three separate surveys to measure growing hunger in Latin America:

In Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, Action Against Hunger, together with our partners, Oxfam, COOPI, Trócaire, and We World-GVC, surveyed 3,700 families between October 20 – November 13, 2020.
In Columbia, 34,000 Colombians, Venezuelans and bi-nationals were surveyed by phone or in person between April 2020 through January 2021. This study was conducted by Action Against Hunger, Danish Refugee Council, and Norwegian Refugee Council.
Finally, 222 families in metropolitan Lima, Peru, were surveyed by Action Against Hunger between September 14 – December 11, 2020

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger is the world’s hunger specialist and leader in a global movement that aims to end life-threatening hunger for good within our lifetimes. For more than 40 years, the humanitarian and development organization has been on the front lines, treating and preventing hunger across nearly 50 countries. It served more than 17 million people in 2019 alone.

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SOURCE Action Against Hunger

Labovitz’s Vibrant Abstract Art Joins MSP Airport’s Permanent Collection

MINNEAPOLIS, March 4, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Two works by Minnesota artist, Anne Labovitz, are the first pieces of nonrepresentational art to be commissioned by Airport Foundation MSP for its permanent art collection.

Designed by Labovitz, Bon Voyage! and Happy Travels! are mosaics fabricated by Miotto Mosaic Art Studios in collaboration with Travisanutto Giovanni SRL. Created using traditional Venetian smalti glass, the mosaics were installed in MSP’s Terminal 1 Departures Hall in late February. The vibrant, abstract works represent the artist’s examination of color psychology and transformation of public space in contemporary artmaking practice.

«I’m thrilled to see Anne’s paintings masterfully translated into mosaics for this project,» stated Ben Owen. Director, Arts@MSP, Airport Foundation MSP. «The majority of MSP’s permanent collection of mosaics is representational, things that you can see in nature and in the rural and urban landscapes of the Upper Midwest. The addition of Labovitz’s work marks a noted departure from that, as we’re moving into nonrepresentational art with color, form, and texture being the primary subjects of the works.»

While a new direction for the airport’s permanent collection, two recent temporary installations by Labovitz had already demonstrated the popularity of her abstract style of art.

«In commissioning Labovitz to create pieces for our permanent collection the positive response from both travelers and staff to her two prior installations played a key role in our decision,» explained Owen. «In addition, we were excited about the color and emotive qualities of her work for activating this space. Azure blues may remind you of your favorite swimming hole. Oranges, yellows, hot pinks, and deep purples call to mind memories of the sun as it slips just below the horizon. When travelers are departing Minnesota, we want to leave them with a great lasting impression. Labovitz’s work does that.»

Throughout her career, Labovitz has consistently focused on themes of connectivity, unity and community, but in recent years these messages seem to be resonating with audiences, especially within the world of public art.

«My work interprets feelings of joy, hope and calm, and conveys them through color and shape,» stated Labovitz. «With all the chaos and negativity we’ve witnessed in recent years, I think we’re all thirsty for things that will inspire and uplift our spirit.»

In creating Bon Voyage! and Happy Travels! Labovitz used colors inspired by phrases such as Bon Voyage, Hope You Find What You’re Looking For, Love, Joy, and Happy Travels.

«Color is an incredibly personal experience that affects human emotions,» explained Labovitz. «For me, color is a life force. The saturated colors are intended to enrich your experience and provide a place of joy and calm. The rich, bold Venetian glass mosaic is carefully crafted, hand-cut, and elegantly placed by Italian artisans.

«This work is created to share hope, friendship, and cross-cultural exchange. It’s about engaging people across cultural and geographical boundaries. I hope this optimism sends travelers onward with a sense of peace and well being.»

Bon Voyage! and Happy Travels! are original artworks commissioned by and in the public art collection of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Minneapolis, Minn. Designed by Labovitz, each mosaic is 115.5 x 120 x 1 inches and constructed of smalti glass cut and assembled by Travisanutto Giovanni SRL in Spilimbergo, Italy in collaboration with Miotto Mosaics Art Studios of New York. Smalti (the plural of smalto) are specialized mosaic tesserae (tiny hand-cut tiles) made from richly colored glass. Originally developed for Byzantine mosaics, the glass contains metal oxides which produce an almost infinite range of rich, luminous colors.

While Bon Voyage! and Happy Travels! are the first permanent installations of Labovitz’s work at one of the country’s busiest airports, the colorful works are actually the third installation she has had there within as many years – and just the latest sign of her increasing popularity within the ultra-competitive realm of public art.

The artist is also currently completing commissions for Redleaf Center for Family Healing in Minneapolis, and a site-specific outdoor piece in Berlin, Germany. She recently learned Rochester Art Center, Rochester, Minn., will be hosting a solo exhibition of her work in January 2023. And, due to its popularity with travelers and guests, her large-scale art installation, 122 Conversations, at the airport’s Main Concourse in Terminal 2 (originally installed as a temporary exhibit in 2019) has been extended for the second time, this time through March of 2022.

About the Artist:
Anne Labovitz (b. Duluth, Minnesota) lives and works in St. Paul, Minn. Notable exhibitions include University of Raparin, Rania, Iraqi Kurdistan; Växjö Kunsthall, Växjö, Sweden; Petrozavodsk City Exhibition Hall, Petrozavodsk, Russia; Isumi City Hall, Isumi City, Japan; Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Thunder Bay, Canada; Tweed Museum, Duluth, Minn.; Athenaeum in La Jolla, CA; MSP Terminal 2, Minneapolis, Minn.; MSP Terminal 1, Minneapolis, Minn.; Crary Art Gallery, Warren, Pa.; Burnet Gallery, Le Méridien Chambers in Minneapolis, Minn.; Talgut die Schönen, in Kunste, Germany; Chapman Art Center at Cazenovia College, Cazenovia, N.Y; to name a few.

Labovitz’s artwork can be found in the following public collections Frederick R Weisman Art Museum, Minneapolis, Minn.; Minnesota Museum of American Art, St Paul, Minn.; The Tweed Museum of Art, Duluth, Minn.; The Athenaeum Music & Arts Library, La Jolla, CA; Minnesota Historical Society, St Paul, Minn.; International Gallery of Portrait, in Bosnia-Herzegovina; Växjö Kommun, City of Vaxjo, Sweden; Isumi City Offices, Isumi City Japan; University of Raparin, Rania Iraqi Kurdistan; City of Petrozavodsk, Petrozavodsk, Russia; to name a few.

Current projects include two permanent public mosaic artworks at the MSP Airport, opening February 2021 as well as 122 Conversations currently installed in MSP airport Terminal 2 2019- 2022; Turn Up the Turn Out – a cohort of 22 artists dedicated to the promotion of voting and voting registration in Minnesota, 2020; an outdoor installation in Berlin, Germany – June 2021; a public art commission at the Redleaf Center For Family Healing, a site-specific participatory work, opening 2021; the I Love You Institute, a community-based art project supported by a Springboard for the Arts community grant; appointment as the Artist in Residence at Art In Motion, in Holdingford, Minn., (2020-2021) with an exhibition in Spring 2021; a solo exhibition at Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Winona, Minn., fall 2022.

About Arts@MSP
Arts@MSP is a program of Airport Foundation MSP, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the experience and exceeding the expectations of travelers at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Airport Foundation MSP partners with the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) to bring artistic and cultural events to MSP, including live music, as well as exhibits featuring regional artists and commissioned art installations.

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Jacqueline Hanson, Hanson Communications, +1 952.451.5000, jacqueline@hansonpr.com

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