The Diocese of Jerusalem thanks the Order during the Christmas Season
In a Christmas letter accompanied by a report on activities, Sami El-Yousef, Chief Executive Officer of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, expressed gratitude to donors, including, of course, the Knights and Dames of the Order, for their generous response to the emergency aid appeal launched following the outbreak of war. Since October 2023, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre has contributed approximately 2.5 million dollars in humanitarian aid for the crisis in Gaza and the West Bank and over 1 million dollars for general humanitarian aid in the 2024 budget. In a report published December 5, the Latin Patriarchate provided details about the allocation of these funds, totaling nearly 10 million dollars, which have benefited 140,000 people in Gaza and the West Bank. “We have managed to help 100% of the Christians in Gaza and 30% of the Christian community in the West Bank,” explained Sami El-Yousef.
Nearly 6 million dollars were allocated to support the daily lives of the 700 Christian refugees housed within the Church of the Holy Family complex in Gaza. “As the war continues, supplies are scarce, and prices are incredibly high; it is a miracle to be able to continue helping our brothers and sisters in Gaza,” emphasized the CEO of the Latin Patriarchate.
“The Latin Patriarchate has delivered 840,000 meals (three meals a day for 700 people over 400 days), distributed over 200 tons of food aid, equivalent to 400,000 meals (calculated at 500 grams per meal). In total, this humanitarian effort has provided more than 1.2 million meals to those in desperate need,” the report detailed. “Today, thanks to international support, the Latin Patriarchate is assisting 10% of the northern Gaza population, which has decreased from 1.2 million to 400,000 people,” the report reiterated. The Latin parish in Gaza also benefited from funds allocated to education, allowing 180 young people to resume their studies.
Christians in Jerusalem and the West Bank, who are indirect victims of the war, have received nearly four million dollars in aid. With the tourism sector at a standstill and the cancellation of permits for Palestinian workers in Israel canceled, many families are in a state of destitution. “The funds received in November and December 2023 were directed to urgent assistance, including the distribution of 7,000 food vouchers, cash, and medicine, as well as social aid to cover school fees, rent (for 5,000 families), and various taxes for those who lost their jobs or sources of income,” the report explained. It also noted that 20,000 people received medical assistance. In the West Bank, the lack of social security has left many people vulnerable, particularly those suffering from chronic illnesses.
Looking to the future, the Patriarchate is intensifying its support for employment through the creation of new jobs, training initiatives, and entrepreneurship programs, which have created over 4,000 employment opportunities in recent months. The Diocese of Jerusalem also plans to “diversify its interventions to include mental health services and psychosocial support for families,” given the tragic consequences of a war that has already caused 45,000 casualties.
(January 2025)