Help Christians in the Holy Land
Since the 7th of October, 2023, our world has witnessed horrifying devastation, including civilian deaths, kidnappings, and infrastructure damage. The local Church is actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to bring relief. The crisis has impacted not only Gazans but also Christians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, leading to economic hardships. We need your support to aid those affected by this ongoing tragedy.
Aid to the Church in Need is providing support to Christians within the Holy Land in 4 areas.
1. Gaza Strip: Approximately 1000 trapped Christians in Gaza are seeking refuge at the Holy Family Convent and Greek Orthodox Church. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem aims to provide essential support, requiring $85,000 for food, medications, and other immediate needs from October to December.
2. West Bank Christians in Crisis: Around 37,000 Palestinian Christians in West Bank cities, like Bethlehem and Ramallah, face severe economic challenges following the disconnection from Jerusalem and the tourism industry's decline due to canceled visits until January 2024.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (LPJ) responds with immediate support:
- Food Coupons: LPJ's humanitarian aid program aims to provide food coupons to economically disadvantaged Christian families in Jerusalem and the West Bank. The goal is to secure funding to support 100 families, offering coupons with values tailored to family size and hardship levels.
- Medications and Medical Procedures: LPJ extends help to vulnerable individuals, particularly those without health insurance, covering high medical costs for chronic diseases and operations.
- Social Hardship Cases: Families struggling with rent, water, and electricity bills receive one-off financial support to ease their economic burden. LPJ enforces strict criteria to ensure assistance reaches those in need.
3. East Jerusalem: With nearly 10,000 Palestinian Christians in Jerusalem, over 40% worked in tourism; many lost jobs due to the sector's standstill. LPJ provides financial help to prevent evictions and imprisonment.
4. Help for Christian Migrants and Asylum Seekers: In September 2021, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (LPJ) expanded to include the "Vicariate for Migrants and Asylum Seekers (VMAS)," offering support to over 100,000 believers with complex legal statuses. Following Gaza escalations, displaced workers require shelter, psychological support, and aid with basic needs, while daycare center closures pose financial challenges for the VMAS community.
We need your help to support those in need in the Holy Land.
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