Friday 15th March 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand
Following the terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand on 15th March 2019 where fifty people were killed, Australian author, speaker and social activist wrote these words.
940 People. 1 Toilet
That was the situation in the camps in Rafah (at the southern tip of Gaza) among the 1.1 million people sheltering there before Israel invaded on 6th May. Since then, 1 million people have been forced out of this so-called safe area, with 900,000 of them moving to central Gaza onto an even thinner strip of land along the coast, with virtually no facilities.
In the new camps, water levels are critically low, with people having to queue for hours to collect what little there is and being forced to rely on sea water for domestic use. People are using shallow pit latrines and there is a continuing spread of communicable illnesses amid sewage overflow, piles of effluent, a proliferation of insects, rodents and snakes, and a near-total lack of hygiene items and sanitation facilities.
$25,000 = 21 toilets
We have known MA’AN Development Centre for many years. They are based in Ramallah but have a long history of work in Gaza and many local links that have proved invaluable since 7th October. Chris Rose, Amos’ Director, visited them shortly before Easter to understand more about how they were working in Gaza and how we could partner with them.
A toilet block in Rafah in southern Gaza paid for by Amos Trust supporters.
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They explained the urgent need for toilets in Rafah and the appalling sanitation in many of the camps. We allocated $25,000 to provide 7 toilet blocks (21 toilets) for the camps.
1,584 familes
Usually, the delays in getting aid into Gaza are deeply frustrating, but this time we were happy for the delay. If they had been installed in Rafah before 6th May, they would have been useless and probably destroyed as part of the Israeli advance.
The toilet blocks, including sinks, were finally installed in Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis (central Gaza) at the beginning of June. 1,584 families will now be able to use the toilets and to wash. It’s a tiny shred of dignity, but it’s so important nonetheless.
Welcome to the first On Her Terms update of 2019. This year marks 30 years since the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This landmark in children’s rights has remained a hugely important reference point for those working for justice for children and young people.
“Climbing Kilimanjaro has been on my bucket list for some time. At 5,895 metres it is both the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.” Neil Irving writes about ticking-off one item from his bucket list to raise funds for Amos Trust.
18-year-old Millie Rose, who first visited Nicaragua in 2015, is spending 4 months working in CEPAD’s office before starting an International Development course at University. We asked her to share a little about her impressions of CEPAD’s work — particularly after the recent flooding and unrest.
“I’ve been guilty over the last few months of shirking my responsibilities towards a cause that is very close to my heart. On the eve of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I’ve decided to renew my commitment to this cause, to seeking justice and equal rights for everyone who calls the Holy Land home.” Sarah Baron writes about how we can reinvigorate our support for Palestine.
“The idea was beautiful and crazy. The logistics alone would be an organisational nightmare. The risk assessment would run for pages. It would be a five-month, 3,300 kilometres trek across eleven countries with mountains, rivers and seas to navigate. And then there was no guarantee that the walkers would even be allowed to cross the border into the occupied West Bank, let alone reach Jerusalem.” Amos trustee Robert Cohen writes the forword for ‘Walking To Jerusalem’ – Justin Butcher’s book about his experience of walking from London to Jerusalem as part of Amos Trust’s ‘Just Walk To Jerusalem’ project in 2017.
Amos Trust
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UK
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1164234
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