<\/strong>To date, benefactors and donor agencies from North America and Europe have provided\u00a0more than\u00a0$4.2 million<\/strong>\u00a0in assistance for the following program initiatives of CNEWA:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Food distribution. <\/strong>Hunger is a reality for Lebanon\u2019s working poor and refugee communities, already devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. CNEWA is working with partners on the ground to assess, identify and distribute food parcels for families, for example, the Syriac Catholic Patriarchate, the Karagheusian Center in Bourj Hammoud, the Joint Christian Committee in Dbayeh, Caritas centers, the Maronite Archbishopric of Jbeil and the Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Zahleh. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Repair damaged homes.<\/strong> The areas closest to the blast devastated traditional Christian neighborhoods, such as Ashrafiyeh, Gemmayzeh and Mar Mikhael. These are historic areas crammed with churches, convents, monasteries, social service centers (such as hospitals and schools) and homes that house everyone from the rich to the poor. CNEWA has provided small grants to assist those with no resources to mend broken windows and doors, and make small interior repairs, thus enabling residents to return home in the cold of winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Restore pastoral centers and schools.<\/strong> CNEWA is working with six congregations \u2014 Daughters of Charity and Sacred Heart, Antonine, Holy Family, Besancon and Rosary Sisters \u2014 to repair 16 facilities that offer programs and services to families, including children and the elderly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Rehabilitate Hospitals and clinics. <\/strong>Considerable funds are being directed by CNEWA to the two Catholic health care facilities damaged by the blast, Geitawi and Rosary Sisters hospitals, and to two dispensaries that serve those most in need, Karm el Zeitoun in Ashrafiyeh and the Intercommunity clinic in Nabaa. These health care centers, along with the destroyed St. George Hospital, are among the most important health care facilities in the country. In addition, CNEWA is funding a mental health program in Oum el Nour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDespite COVID and economic and political instability worldwide, Catholics around the world continue to give from the heart. There continues to be an outpouring of sacrificial love and generosity,\u201d said CNEWA\u2019s president, Msgr. Peter I. Vaccari. ![\"food](\"https:\/\/cnewa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/cnewaBeirut2021_0009H-1024x683.jpg\")
\u201c\u2018Lebanon is more than a country,\u2019 Pope Francis reminds us. \u2018Lebanon is a message of liberty, an example of pluralism for the Middle East and the rest of the world. We cannot allow this patrimony to be lost\u2019 the pope added.
\u201cThe people of Lebanon are living the experience of Calvary,\u201d Msgr. Vaccari continues. \u201cThey cannot be abandoned in solitude. I am deeply moved by the heroic commitment of our Beirut office to work in solidarity with all people of good will who wish to pray and offer help as instruments of hope at this time.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"