In a landmark development, the Friends of the Holy Land have brought together three Parishes in the Bethlehem District to ensure humanitarian aid is distributed to those Christians with the greatest need. Following a recent visit to the Holy Land by FHL National Chairman, Dr. Michael Whelan and other members of the Management Committee, the FHL contracted with the Sons of the Earth Association (SEA) in Beit Jala to coordinate the distribution of blankets, food packages, heaters, medical aid and subsidies for utility bills. The Latin Patriarchate Parishes in Beit Sahour and Beit Jala shared information with the Franciscans in the Bethlehem Parish to identify those suffering most acutely, whether physically, economically, psychologically or emotionally.

A Letter of Agreement and Coordination has been signed between the three Parishes and the FHL. SEA are providing a single coordination point for the FHL and processes have been established to avoid duplication of support from other agencies. Each family have been visited to assess their needs.

Dr Whelan says “This is a breakthrough for the FHL and is only possible as a result of the generous support from our donors in parishes around the country. However our funds are struggling to meet the many desperate cases we are discovering on the ground. Few people in the UK are aware of the plight of the Christian Community in the Holy Land. There is no Social Service support and Palestinians have restricted access even to water”.

Ramzi Hodali, President of SEA, speaking from Bethlehem, says “Because of the extreme economic deterioration the nutrition of the poor, especially the elderly, is worsening. This project endeavours to address the desperate humanitarian need in the Bethlehem District and to provide a Christian Christmas Gift for 2010.”

Support

If you would like to make a contribution to this work or to know more about the Friends of the Holy Land, then visit our donation area or contact us.

Notes

The Friends of the Holy Land (FHL) was established in England and Wales in 2009. It is a registered charity and assists the Christian Community in the Holy Land.

The objectives are to raise awareness of the difficulties experienced by the Christian Community in the Holy Land, to encourage prayers to be offered for their intentions and to generate and channel financial resources to provide them with a sustainable future.

Financial support is provided to Parishes and Schools and families within the Christian Community to enable them to live a fruitful and rewarding life in their homeland.

This is carried out through funding for Parish activities, assistance to Schools, financing small self-help projects in the community and providing humanitarian aid to the needy.

This is all achieved with the backing and blessing of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of England & Wales. The FHL is non-political.

Contacts

Contact us by email at friendsoftheholyland@btconnect.com or call the National Office:

2 Station Road
Kenilworth
CV8 1JJ

Tel: 01926 512980
Fax: 01926 850946

Dr Michael Whelan KSG, KGCHS
Trustee & National Chairman FHL

Peter Rand MBE
Trustee & National Vice Chairman

Sean Higgins
General Manager

friendsoftheholyland@btconnect.com
friendsoftheholyland.org.uk

Registered Charity Number 1130054