IOCC Delivers Supplies To Lebanon

INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES [IOOC, July 27, 2006] As Lebanon and Gaza continue to receive attacks on civilian infrastructure with hundreds of thousands fleeing their homes, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) staff is on the ground coordinating food, medical and hygiene supplies. IOCC will deliver to St. George Orthodox Hospital in Beirut two “New Emergency Health Kits” of 48 boxes containing medicines, IV fluids and disposable supplies expected to aid 20,000 patients over a 3 month period. The kits, worth approximately $100,000, have been donated by Northwest Medical Teams and are assembled in accordance with emergency aid standards set by the World Health Organization. IOCC Beirut staff is purchasing and assembling Family Food and Family Hygiene parcels for those who have fled their homes in Southern Lebanon and are now crowded into public schools, parks and other areas. In addition, Church World Service will provide to IOCC a container worth $100,000 in supplies including 5,000 hygiene kits, 500 water containers and wool blankets. IOCC, which has been involved in Lebanon since 2001 with a USDA-funded Food for Education program, will use its network of public schools as distribution centers for thousands who need these basic life-preserving supplies. Gaza, which is experiencing near daily artillery fire and aerial bombardment, is reporting scarcity of water, food, and medicine. IOCC, which has been implementing an emergency response program in Gaza, recently announced a $90,000 (70,000 euro) donation by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue its provision of child and adult medicines, medical examinations, and nutritional supplements through local hospitals. “We urge the Orthodox in America, and all those concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis in both Lebanon and Gaza, to support IOCC’s $500,000 Emergency Appeal for the Middle East,” says IOCC CEO Constantine M. Triantafilou. “The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making a direct cash contribution that will allow us to continue to acquire and transport these life-saving supplies.” To make an online contribution, click here or call toll free 1-877-803-IOCC (4622). For media calls: Contact Amal Morcos at 404-805-4142 or email amorcos@iocc.org Visit the website: INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES

Lebanese Orphans Watch From A Safe Vantage Point

"MUSLIM HANDS" HELPS IN LEBANON AND GAZA

There are two huge humanitarian crises looming in Lebanon and Gaza. The fact that the current conflict has seen more children than soldiers killed in Lebanon shows the true horror of this war and the blatant disregard for civilian life. The number of dead, injured and homeless in that country continues to rise daily with no prospect of a lasting peace in sight. Meanwhile, Israeli offensives continue apace in Gaza with daily civilian deaths and human suffering on an unimaginable scale, all barely reported by the media as events in Lebanon dominate. WHAT WE’RE DOING Muslim Hands is on the ground in Lebanon and Gaza Muslim Hands and its regional partners in Lebanon and in Gaza are continuing to provide vital aid to the innocent people who have fallen victim to the growing violence. Mobile medical units for Saida, Lebanon In Lebanon, Muslim Hands is distributing relief items -- primarily food parcels, medical aid and hygiene kits -- to the displaced and needy people in and around Saida. There are over 75,000 displaced people now camping in schools, sports centres and other public buildings in the Saida area. With our partners we are organising and funding these centres which are feeding and accommodating refugees. Recently Muslim Hands purchased and deployed two Mobile Medical Units in Saida to serve the sick and injured flooding into the city. Each Unit carries a medical crew including a doctor. More Mobile Medical Units are urgently needed (each costs £25,000). SUFFERING IN GAZA Israeli bombing intensifies in Gaza Heavy Israeli shelling of northern Gaza has intensified dramatically, destroying the already crippled economy and causing immense suffering to ordinary Palestinians. In June, the World Food Program estimated that more than half of all Palestinians (some 2 million people) were facing food shortages. The humanitarian situation in Gaza has now become critical due to Israel's intensive bombing of power plants, roads and other civilian infrastructure. Twenty-two hospitals in Gaza do not have electricity. The lack of refrigeration has damaged potentially life saving drugs and vaccines. Muslim Hands has been working in Palestine since 1994 and considers this to be one of the neediest times for our brothers and sisters in Gaza. Please help Muslim Hands continue our urgent aid work helping the innocent people of Gaza and Palestine. HOW TO HELP Make a donation: * £50 buys a family food parcel. * £50 allows us to buy 10 packs of baby milk for young mothers. * £70 pays for a water tank. * £200 provides a tent for a homeless family. * Sponsor an orphan from Lebanon or Palestine. Remember also to write to your local MP or government representative asking them what their response has been to the crisis, and whether they will be adding their voice to the growing international calls for an immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal. Visit the website: MUSLIM HANDS

REPLACING OLIVE TREES IN LEBANON It is estimated that since September 2000 the Israelis have uprooted almost 400,000 Palestinian olive trees. Since the building of the wall this number has grown drastically as orchard after orchard is cleared, or farmers are left cut off from their land. Olive trees and their harvest are vital to the economy and are a symbol of the Palestinian heritage and identity. Many farmers have been left destitute by the loss of their only source of income and this has had a knock-on effect on labourers and other parts of the economy. Recognising this need, the willingness of people around the world to help the Palestinians and the real difference that could be made, Muslim Hands launched our olive tree plantation scheme in 2003. The idea is simple: for only $18.50 you can pay for an olive tree to be planted in Palestine in your or a loved one's name. We will send you a Certificate of Plantation (see above), making this an ideal gift. Moreover, together we can make a real difference to the lives of thousands of Palestinians. Since the scheme was launched we have planted well over 35,000 trees and restored the livelihoods of hundreds of people. Olive trees are of course also an excellent form of sadaqa jaria (continuous charity) and will be a source of reward for as long as individuals or the community benefit. HISTORY OF MUSLIM HANDS In 1993 the conflict in the Balkans and resulting human misery was brought to the world's attention. Moved to action, a group of Muslims in Nottingham coordinated their efforts and sent the first of many aid shipments to Bosnia. Inspired by the community's response and the need for further work, Muslim Hands was formed. Today Muslim Hands has grown to be one of the UK's foremost charities. Our work encompasses 40 countries, with field offices in over 20, and we spend annually in excess of $12,950,000 on projects ranging from disaster relief and medical aid, to education and tree plantation. Millions of people across the globe have and continue to benefit from the work MH carries out. Of course, all of this is only made possible by you, the donor. With your help and continued support we can win our War on Poverty and help even more of the world's most needy people. In Lebanon, Muslim Hands is focusing aid activity in the bomb-shelled city of Saida, distributing food, water and medical aid through local partners to internally displaced refugees. Almost 20,000 people have arrived in the city from the South, and are being sheltered in the 17 public schools currently closed for the summer holidays. In Gaza, around a million men women and children have been without electricity supply and running water, increasing the risk of disease, and incapacitating emergency and medical services. Muslim Hands is distributing emergency aid to needy families via partners in the region. Provision of food, clean water and medication is taking place in Gaza and surrounding camps and cities. Muslim Hands has been active in Palestine since 1994, with projects ranging from olive tree plantation to orphan sponsorship. Muslim Hands has launched an urgent appeal for the crisis in Palestine and Lebanon. Visit our website: MUSLIM HANDS

RESTORING LITTLE MOON KINDERGARTEN IN IRAQ Years ago Iraq's education system was first rate and the envy of many countries in the region. But, as with all aspects of life in Iraq, three wars and decades of sanctions and isolation have clearly taken their toll. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Baghdad, which has seen not only intense fighting following the 2003 invasion, but in the aftermath wanton looting and a total lack of security also. One institution that was struggling to survive in the chaos is the Little Moon Kindergarten. Located in the Adhamayah district of Baghdad the kindergarten fulfils a great need within the local community with well over 100 children attending. There is just one other government nursery in the region, and even here parents are reluctant to send their children due to security fears. The kindergarten was identified by Muslim Hands Iraq as being essential to the community but in a bad state and in need of refurbishment. The building and facilities were in a bad state but, most importantly, there were dedicated staff continuing to work under difficult conditions. Refurbishing the kindergarten turned out to be an excellent three way partnership between MH Iraq overseeing the project, Adhamayah Committee helping implement it and a UK youth organisation who took on the project as their own IMP. The total cost of the refurbishment was $11,100 and this not only allowed repairs to the building and redecoration, but also fully equipped the kindergarten with air conditioning, learning materials and other essentials. The children were also treated to a one-off graduation party -- opportunities for celebration and joy are rare in Iraq these days. Running for Little Moon Inspired by what had been achieved already, and as a teacher well aware of the importance of education and the right learning environment, a volunteer from London decided to get sponsored and raise money for the Little Moon Kindergarten. Together with her sister she ran (and successfully completed!) the London Women's Challenge 5k run in September 2005. Alhamdulillah, getting sponsorship from friends and family and using the MH justgiving.com pages the pair exceeded their $1,850 target and raised over $2,035. The project, another “It's My Project,” will provide the kindergarten with more furniture, toys and learning materials. These additions are actually much needed as following the refurbishment the kindergarten has continued to grow in popularity and has now almost doubled in size to over 200 children. LITTLE MOON KINDERGARTEN

EMERGENCY FOOD DRIVE TO SAVE GAZA In Palestine, the impacts of the Israeli occupation and an embargo have created a hunger crisis of unprecedented proportions. Unemployment is now approaching a record level of 40%, and 75% of the households in Gaza are living in poverty. Consumers can't afford to buy the necessities. Ironically, while families go unfed because they cannot afford groceries, Palestinian farmers are becoming impoverished because they cannot sell their harvest. Fresh produce often expires in the trucks where they wait to cross Israeli checkpoints. Poor Palestinian families increasingly have nowhere else to turn except to their generous friends and supporters abroad. United Palestinian Appeal (UPA) is partnering with the largest local Palestinian NGO, the Welfare Association (www.welfareassociation.org), to provide immediate assistance by purchasing food directly from local Palestinian farmers and distributing it to their communities. In addition to purchasing non-perishable items such as rice, flour and lentils, together we will purchase perishable items that would otherwise expire, like fruits and vegetables. We will also purchase milk and cheese from a local factory in Gaza to distribute in school feeding programs for children, who are uniquely vulnerable to malnutrition. Your generous contribution to this Food Drive will make a difference to a struggling farmer and a hungry child in Palestine. Your gift will bring new hope to those most desperately in need. Help us raise $500,000 to feed 1,500 Palestinian families and invest in the economy. Donate today to salvage the goods of a poor Palestinian farmer and feed a hungry child. UNITED PALESTINE APPEAL