A monthly news bulletin that takes a look at development issues, provides analysis of global justice issues and keeps you updated with the work of CWS. An alternative to mainstream media sources. Past issues can be read here

August/September 2016
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For Your Diary

1 September—4 October Time for Creation

18 – 24 September World Week of Prayer for Israel and Palestine

21 September International Day of Prayer for Peace

6 – 10 October Visit of Rev Dr Olav Fyske Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches

13 October International Day for Risk Reduction

16 October World Food Day

“If there was no wall, I would tell children around the world that the wall fell down. Friends who had not seen each other for years could now meet. I and all the children of Palestine will be very proud of all the people who made the wall fall down.” Isabella (aged 10) in Jerusalem.

From 18-24 September join the World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel with the theme “God has broken down dividing walls”. Resources including liturgy are available to encourage participation in this time for prayer and action. After a joint World Council of Churches and National Council of Churches USA consultation last week, Rev Dr Olav Fyske Tveit and Jim Winkler issued a statement of support: “The unresolved conflict in Israel and Palestine is primarily about justice, and until the requirement of justice is met, peace cannot be established.” 5.2 million refugees are Palestinian.

Stop Press: MFAT grants CWS $99,700 matching funds for Syria Appeal. Special thanks to all those who donated to the Syria Appeal.

South Sudan Crisis Unfolds
ACT Alliance is stretching resources in Uganda where UNHCR has registered 335,851 refugees from South Sudan, over 85% are women and children. Most transit centres are at 3 or 4 times capacity and there is not enough water to meet basic standards. Cholera has broken out at Elegu Collection Centre run by ACT Alliance and in other settlements. They are doing their best to stop it spreading but need more support to ramp up water, sanitation and hygiene programmes. Fighting and food shortages are worsening through much of the country as 4.8 million people struggle to find enough to eat. Last month International Programmes Working Group member Rob Wayne met with Wadalla Peter after a harrowing trip to Uganda. Wadalla is director of our partner Maridi Service Centre.

CWS asks for prayer and support for the South Sudan Crisis Appeal so refugees have food, shelter, sanitation and safety.

A new investigative report by USA’s The Sentry says President Salva Kiir and former vice president Riek Machar, now at war, have accumulated enormous wealth and that the real struggle is over the country’s rich mineral and oil resources.

Sri Lanka: Eco Agriculture
Monlar (Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform) reports the Sri Lankan government has launched a 3 year national programme to promote ecological agriculture, something for which they advocated. Monlar are establishing planning forums of small farmers to promote the methods including home gardens. So far 86 organisations have joined at the provincial level involving 22,169 farmers using eco-agricultural methods. The government has allocated 80 million rupees to promote the approach as a way to improve family nutrition and minimise costs. Monlar participated in a Presidential Taskforce to launch the national food programme (pictured).

Nepal: Final Evaluation
An independent report of ACT Alliance Nepal’s response found the response to be highly relevant, timely and effective. 47,177 households were helped with shelter, over 50,000 with water and sanitation, more than 60,000 received agricultural support, 19,736 participated in psychosocial counselling and 17,331 in recreational activities.

WCC General Secretary visits
Rev Dr Olav Fyske Tveit will visit from 6-10 October. Here to highlight the work of the World Council of Churches and the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace, he will speak at church services and meet with a variety of groups in Auckland (6,9), Christchurch (8-9), Dunedin (7) and Wellington (10). Further details available from Emma.

No School for Refugees
UNHCR in a new report says only 50% of refugee children have access to primary school compared with 91% of the global population. Only 22% can attend lower high school compared with 84% while 1% of refugees go to university compared with 34%. Investing in education has a high return and refugee children should not be denied this basic right.

Refugee Summit
ACT Alliance, the WCC and others are hoping the UN summit to address large movement of refugees and migrants on September 19 will kick start better protections for displaced people and lead to concrete actions. In a statement released before the summit, they call for action to address the causes of large scale forced migration, access to sustainable and equitable development, upholding of international law and human rights, shared responsibility among states, legal channels for labour migration and an end to the criminalising of uprooted people.

Determined to Live
Charlito is a happy Filipino farmer. With help from CWS partner Developers he has replanted some of the crops he lost in Super Typhoon Haiyan three years ago. Like Mary Jean featured in the Spring Story, he has worked hard, determined to help his family and community back on their feet. In Aklan province 3,061 homes with corrugated iron roofs are the visible sign of your help. More printed copies are available from Emma. Please support the Spring Appeal so our partners can get families back on their feet.

Annual Review
The Annual Review covering our work from 2015-16 is now available.

Gifted
You can find a good gift at Gifted. New gifts will provide health kits for a family surviving an emergency or pay for a refugee child to take part in a Fun Day. Order greeting cards or e-cards.

Christmas Appeal
With the theme “Give Us Hope”, the 2016 Christmas Appeal showcases the work we do together to bring hope into communities throughout the world. By supporting our partners you are helping families find food, shelter, healthcare and water in 20 countries. The introductory kit will be sent to parishes in September. If you can, please order resources by October 23.

Update provides news, information and stories. Reproduction of items is encouraged with attribution to CWS. Current and back issues are available.