Charlottetown churches to take up collection to fund projects

On Nov. 15, churches in the Diocese of Charlottetown will take up a collection to fund the more than 100 development projects of Development and Peace-Caritas Canada in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.

The collection, postponed from the fifth Sunday of Lent because of the COVID-19 pandemic, left the organization with a shortage of funds that threatens the continuity of its programs.

While the pandemic touches all countries and people in the world, some are suffering more severely than others, especially informal workers, migrants, refugees, women and displaced persons. Conflicts have increased in countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Yemen, forcing 660,000 people to flee their homes from March 23 to May 15.

As well, the pandemic has created conditions for nonstate groups, terrorist actors and some authoritarian governments to abuse their power, violate human rights and undermine fundamental freedoms.

Development and PeaceCaritas Canada works among the world’s most vulnerable who are experiencing hardships.

The significant loss of revenue due to the pandemic is putting at risk the organization’s support for many important programs.

The organization remains committed to its work in the Global South and doesn’t send paid staff from Canada. It relies on the commitment and expertise of its partner organizations to carry out the work of transformation.

These local partners are always at the heart of the action, which includes efforts to contain the pandemic and foster recovery.

Socio-economic activities need to be maintained, as well as human rights and ongoing humanitarian support in countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil – with special focus on the Amazon – Ecuador, Haiti, Lebanon, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Syria.

COVID-19 has highlighted the interdependence of the human family and the need to build a sustainable world of dignity.

It exposes the need to build local communities to have access to food sovereignty, information, jobs, health care, inclusive public policies, control over natural resources and more.

For further information, contact Mary Boyd at 902388-2693.