The Poverty and Hope Appeal is the diocese's annual fundraising opportunity to express our Christian belief in justice for the poor.
In this latest update, volunteer Poverty and Hope Appeal Coordinator, Peter Kettle, explains how world events in Latin America and in Palestine, mean support for the Appeal is more important than ever.
Poverty and Hope: Give peace a chance
Following an encouraging seasonal surge in donations from September through January, we are currently on track to hit our income target of £21,000 in the financial year to the end of April.
However, the changing world political situation is throwing up great challenges for our two keynote peace projects supported through Christian Aid in Latin America and the Caribbean and Amos Trust in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
Immediately following the inauguration of Donald Trump, the entire USAID programme was suspended, greatly affecting international development and humanitarian work throughout the world.
USAID, along with the EU, had been the major funders of the Christian Aid “From Violence to Peace” project spanning five countries.
Grace Kariuki, Christian Aid’s British Church Relations Officer, provided us with the following update:
“Stop Work orders were issued to all USAID grant-funded projects on 24 January, with some limited waivers. Christian Aid has two USAID supported projects in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), both of which have been suspended as part of this action.
"We are working with our partners to minimize the impact both on the partners and on the communities we work with. We are retaining all Christian Aid and partner staff working on the projects so that we will be ready to resume activities when the suspension is lifted."
The EU contracts that are also part of the LAC Violence to Peace portfolio are, of course, unaffected. The generous contributions of Christian Aid supporters towards these programmes remains vitally important at this challenging time, and we are extremely grateful for this support.
Please continue to keep the team in your prayers as they navigate this.”
The community organisations in the Palestinian West Bank. such as the Wi’am Conflict Resolution, supported through Amos Trust, are also facing huge pressures as attacks by fanatical settlers and raids by the Israeli military have made life for everyone almost intolerable.
The Alrowwad cultural and arts centre in a Bethlehem refugee camp, another Amos link, was recently raided and badly damaged and an ongoing economic crisis increases the need for support in meeting basic needs.
Please help us continue supporting work for peace in the Middle East and Latin America, and pray for the workers on the ground so dedicated to bringing hope and light into very dark situations.
Peter Kettle, Poverty and Hope Appeal Coordiator