CNEWA

Be a Cornerstone in Constructing a Peaceful Middle East

A young participant at the Wells of Hope awareness session on human trafficking at Dbayeh Camp outside of Beirut, Lebanon, 19 July 2024. (photo: Raghida Skaff)

A young woman from the Philippines boards a plane to Jordan, lured by promises of bountiful work and a living wage. But upon arrival in Amman, it becomes clear the dream sold to her was a fantasy — and she finds herself bound to grueling domestic work for a pittance of a wage, with few opportunities for advancement and education. 

Physical and sexual violence, wage theft and extreme overwork may be common in her new workplace.

This is one of the realities of human trafficking in the modern age. 

But thanks to the care of the Teresians, a global association of lay women, the CNEWA-Pontifical Mission Community Center in Amman provides a haven for migrants working as maids, nannies and cleaners. It’s one of CNEWA’s diverse programs in the Middle East dedicated to caring for the marginalized, particularly migrants, refugees and survivors of trafficking.

This year, Pontifical Mission for Palestine — which Pope Pius XII founded in 1949 and entrusted to CNEWA to administer — marks its 75th anniversary. Through the collaboration of our partners and our boots-on-the-ground staff, and the generosity of a worldwide network of donors, we continue to coordinate worldwide Catholic aid to offer humanitarian and pastoral assistance to refugees, migrants, displaced peoples and all those in need of a helping hand and a kind ear. In these challenging times in the Middle East, the work of Pontifical Mission has become even more crucial than ever. 

The crisis in Gaza is far worse than anyone can imagine. Its parched population prays for safety, food, drinking water and medicine, only to flee from one bombed out area to another. CNEWA-Pontifical Mission, through partners such as the parish community of St. Porphyrios, coordinates meals and food parcels, distributing the basics to the families seeking shelter in their ancient church and compound as well as those in the immediate neighborhood.   

As a regional initiative under the umbrella of the anti-trafficking ministry Talitha Kum, Wells of Hope in Lebanon is dedicated to combating what Pope Francis calls “the scourge of human trafficking” through approaches encompassing prevention, awareness-raising and survivor support. For so many who have endured unimaginable suffering, including torture and domestic abuse, the support provided to women by this program is truly transformative. 

These are just a few of the many activities of the local churches CNEWA-Pontifical Mission supports in the Middle East. As Pontifical Mission commemorates its 75th anniversary, we recommit ourselves to being an agency of healing and hope throughout the Middle East.

Please consider donating to these valuable projects. Whatever generous support you can offer, do know you have helped bring forth essential care and profound comfort — healing and hope — to so many we serve. 

Thank you for your generous prayers and gifts!

Get to know us and stay informed about the impact your support makes.

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