Crisis in Gaza: We have been able to act swiftly because of your generosity.
We have seen shocking and deeply distressing scenes of violence in Gaza. For eleven days in May this year, missiles flew out of Gaza and bombs fell on the people of this tiny enclave as the fragile peace in this region failed once more. Fortunately, a ceasefire is now in operation; however, the aftermath of this devastating period continues to cause suffering for the already vulnerable Christian community in Gaza. The physical damage is obvious. Father Gabriel Romanelli, Parish Priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza completed a needs assessment of his parish community with the help of experts sent under the direction of the Latin Patriarchate. They discovered that fifty Christian families required help to repair damage to their homes, including windows, doors, cracks in the walls and solar panels without which, many families are left without a key source of power. As we are in regular contact with Fr Gabriel and Sami El-Yousef, CEO of the Latin Patriarchate, Friends of the Holy Land were able to act quickly to send US$40,000 immediately to cover the cost of the repair of 32 of these homes from our emergency
reserves. Our immediate focus, working with partners such as the Pontifical Mission and the Latin Patriarchate, is to allow these families to go home. “More disturbing than the physical damage are the reports of the emotional damage experienced by the whole population of Gaza, who feel helpless and abandoned and are traumatized.” Sami El-Yousef, CEO Latin Patriarchate According to the national helpline operated by the UN Protection cluster in Gaza, parents are desperate to know how they can help their children who are suffering from trauma, fear, and panic. There will be a significant need for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programs for parents and children in the months ahead. If appropriate psycho-social help is provided in the early stages following an emergency, there is strong evidence this can help these children recover more quickly and reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) developing in the longer term. With this in mind, we have also sent US$10,000 from our emergency reserve to fund an immediate programme of pastoral, group and individual therapy, games, and childfriendly activities to help people of all ages cope with the trauma. These will be organized by Father Gabriel and use the facilities of the parish in Gaza as a first step.
Giving hope to vulnerable Christians
Trauma Therapy
Some of the homes being repaired thanks to your generosity.
Standing with our brothers and sisters. We have been very fortunate that you have been so generous over the last year that we were able to build up a fund to meet future defined emergency needs. Sadly, when we planned this, we did not expect to find a use for it so quickly! We hope we can rely on your continued help to replenish this fund and to meet the ongoing needs for the extremely isolated and vulnerable Christian community in Gaza and those traumatised by the spread of violence in the West Bank and Israel. Faced with this cycle of fear, intimidation and violence which has been the history of the people of Gaza for the last 20 years or more, it is difficult to know how individually one can have an impact. We know that many of you are moved by the plight of those affected by these events but may feel helpless. We believe we can only stand in humble solidarity with our brothers and sisters, pray for their future and provide what financial support we can to give them hope.
So we ask you to: + Pray for the fragile peace to hold and for real solutions to the complex problems of the region. Pray for protection for our brothers and sisters in Gaza, and for an atmosphere of compassion to surround those in governance on both sides. For inspiration and to join our Prayer Bank visit https://www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/prayer + Donate if you can. Your gifts enable us to continue meeting needs in Gaza to make further repairs, to help those in trauma to rebuild their lives, to provide medical support where needed, and to encourage young Christians especially to pursue education and jobs. Please use the response form enclosed or visit http://www. friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/donate . For so many these are dark and difficult times, but the support we provide continues to shine as a beacon of hope. We simply could not do this and move so swiftly without your generosity. For the latest updates in Gaza, see our website https:// www.friendsoftheholyland.org.uk/Blogs/holy-landconflict-may-2021 .
Giving hope to vulnerable Christians