Page 35 - Presbyterian Connection

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WINTER 2021
Connection
PRESBYTERIAN WORLD SERVICE & DEVELOPMENT
Afghanistan: Challenges and Opportunities
PWS&D is assisting Afghans displaced in Kabul since the Taliban took over the country.
school and university in jeopardy. Primary school education has been allowed to resume and the schools PWS&D supports are still able to operate. With its emphasis on community ownership, girls have been able to access education safely and communities have come to value girls’ education more than before. PWS&D is supporting this project in coordination with an Australian member of the ACT Alliance. Over the last few years, this collaboration has allowed the project to grow and reach many more girls and commu-
nities. Our solidarity is needed more than ever.
As we prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth, let us be mindful of the message Jesus left us with: to love our neighbour. Let us remember those who are facing the hardship of winter without access to sufficient food in Afghanistan, and let’s pray that those who lead the country may open their hearts to the people’s needs and connect to a God of gen- erosity and compassion.
*Information on Afghanistan was accurate as of October 2021.
By Guy Smagghe, PWS&D Director
The summer of 2021 was another challenging one. In Afghanistan, the takeover by the Taliban created panic in large sections of its population. Thousands went into hiding or des- perately sought to leave the country. PWS&D received messages from current and former partner staff ask- ing for assistance to come to Canada as refugees. The messages were lined with distress: hiding in undisclosed locations, fearing persecution from the Taliban due to an association with Christian organizations like ours.
But our partners don’t have any intent to convert anyone to Christian- ity. Just like Jesus showed us, our support and assistance are always based on need and not on one’s reli- gion, race, gender or political affilia-
tion. Our partners reach out to those who are most in need, with a focus on the most vulnerable.
In recent years, we supported maternal and child health programs in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada. We have provided food as- sistance to populations displaced by fighting in Afghanistan or those recently returned to Afghanistan after being refugees in Iran and Pakistan. This assistance has been critical to aid families in getting through the harsh winter months, until livelihoods can be re-established.
While there is still much uncertain- ty as to what will be possible moving forward, our partner in Afghanistan has operated under Taliban rule be- fore and is continuing to assist where possible.
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As of October 2021, the United Na- tions estimated that over 18 million Afghans, half of the country’s popula- tion, are facing a humanitarian crisis. As winter sets in, this number will increase dramatically. In response, a new food assistance project is under- way. Thankfully, our work with Cana- dian Foodgrains Bank—and contribu- tions from other denominations at the Foodgrains Bank—makes it possible to reach out to even more people than last year. Cash transfers to the most vulnerable families will help them buy food and pay for critical items, with the hope of renewed livelihood oppor- tunities next year.
As for girls’ education, there re- mains much uncertainty. While the Taliban initially promised that girls’ education would be allowed at all levels, as long as boys and girls didn’t mix in classes, they have since broken this promise. This has put the possibility for girls to attend high
Girls’ education remains an essential part of the work PWS&D supports in Afghanistan.
Heads Up: PWS&D’s 75th Anniversary Is in 2022!
In 1947, facing post-war shortages in Europe, the church reached out with humanitarian assistance—and the first iteration of PWS&D was created. Since then, PWS&D has changed and evolved, with an ever- expanding mandate to serve the world’s most vulnerable populations.
In 2022, PWS&D will commemorate 75 years of service on behalf of the PCC. Keep an eye on this news- paper to look back at some of the key moments in history when the church responded through PWS&D.
You might be surprised by how much has been accomplished by a relatively small agency, deeply sup- ported by the church, working together with partners and coalitions, and with the government’s assistance, to make a lasting difference in the lives of so many around the globe. We are working at pulling together the “Story of PWS&D.” Stay tuned!
Life for Displaced Families in Somalia
The following poem was submitted for the Kids Create Change Challenge byThomas(13),aPWS&DChampion from Markham, Ont. For this activity, kids and their families were asked to read stories about PWS&D’s work and respond by doing something creative.
Somalian camp
Who’ll help the people in need PWS&D
Helps babies that are starving And gives them the food they need
In Somalia, approximately 839,000 children face severe food insecurity, including those living in camps for internally displaced persons. Factors
like conflict, unpredictable weather, the ongoing desert locust infestation, and now the COVID-19 pandemic have made it difficult for people to farm or purchase enough nutritious food to thrive.
PWS&D is working with local part- ners through Canadian Foodgrains Bank to address food insecurity in the Gedo region of Somalia. Support focuses on providing therapeutic food to help babies and young chil- dren regain their health. Shiindha, the mother of a three-year-old child who accessed emergency intervention through the program, commented, “I am forever grateful for the exist- ence of such services to help our children.”
Shiinda’s three-month-old baby received emergency nutritional treatment with support from PWS&D.