Gilio Brunelli, Directeur of International Programs
On the eve of the fourth anniversary of the earthquake that struck Haiti, there are neither particular preparations nor special expectations in the streets of Port-au-Prince. There are no plans on the part of civil society, and there are only rumours that the government will organize something to commemorate this sad event. But three days before the fateful moment, we still do not know what the nature or scope of this “thing” will be. Nobody has the heart for it anyway.
Development and Peace has increased support to relief efforts in the Philippines thanks to the outpouring of generosity from across the country in response to Typhoon Haiyan.
As violence continues to escalate in the Central African Republic, the Catholic Church in the country is calling for an immediate ceasefire.
"We're deeply concerned about the crisis in Central African Republic (CAR). The situation in Bangui is chaotic. Many people have been killed. The fighting must stop immediately," said Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga of the capital Bangui.
With the civil war in Syria showing no signs of abating, those who fled their homes and became refugees in neighbouring countries, continue to wonder if they will ever be able to return to their homeland, while others continue to make the heart wrenching decision to leave to escape the violence at their doorsteps. There are now almost 2 million Syrian refugees spread throughout the Middle East, including 680,000 in Lebanon alone.
Dear members and supporters of Development and Peace,
Since the launch of our 2012 Fall Action campaign highlighting our concerns about Canada's new orientations in its international assistance policy, local parish-based Development and Peace groups from across the country have been organizing meetings with their local MPs. The organization's members have used these meetings to highlight the necessity of restoring the needs of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged peoples to the heart of Canadian international assistance policies and strategies in the pursuit of sustainable alternatives to unjust economic, political and social structures.
The Year of Faith, declared by Pope Benedict is a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta fidei 6). Throughout the Year of Faith, Catholics are being urged to study and reflect on the documents of Vatican II and the Catechism of the Catholic Church so that they may deepen their knowledge of the faith.
We’ve been seeing some cold temperatures across the country this January, but that has not discouraged members of Development and Peace from getting out and meeting with their Members of Parliament to discuss Canada’s international aid policies.
Luke Stocking, Deputy Director, In Canada Programs
Development and Peace has always aspired to be a democratic movement attentive to the voice of its members. These members are the living witness of our Catholic faith, put in the service of International Development.
Over 18 million people are suffering from food shortages in the Sahel region of West Africa and Development and Peace is helping. To learn more about our response with our partners in the region, watch On the Brink: Hunger in the Sahel, a new video produced in collaboration with Salt+Light TV.
