Amid the increasing number of humanitarian crises, you might wonder how PWS&D effectively and immediately responds to these disasters. Together, with your support and through ecumenical collaboration, we can make a significant impact. 

Ecumenical collaborations are partnerships among numerous religious organizations and faith-based groups. These collaborations provide the opportunity for PWS&D to react quickly to conflict or disaster in areas of the world where we don’t already have direct partnerships, or our partners are not able to respond. 

PWS&D collaborates with well-respected internationally focused organizations, faith-based and secular, to address many of the structural issues affecting communities around the world. These organizations include Canadian Foodgrains Bank, ACT Alliance and KAIROS.

For example, in conflict zones, where providing direct humanitarian assistance may be challenging, our ecumenical partners, through their existing local networks, can reach those communities. These collaborations also allow donations to stretch further, have a greater impact, and improve the lives of more people. PWS&D’s membership in Canadian Foodgrains Bank also provides access to alternate funding sources, including Government of Canada funds and financial support from other Foodgrains Bank members. 

Ecumenical Collaborations at Work

Gaza

As the war in Gaza continues to cause widespread famine conditions, casualties and injuries to tens of thousands, the demand for humanitarian aid only increases. PWS&D, who has supported ecumenical work in Palestine for decades, does not have direct partnerships in Gaza, but has been called to respond. Through our ecumenical membership in ACT Alliance, PWS&D is able to support humanitarian efforts through the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR), an ACT member, in Gaza. DSPR is a department of the Middle East Council of Churches. 

Despite ongoing challenges, DSPR has continued to provide as much support as they are able with their local staff and offices in Gaza. For example, in Rafah, DSPR continues to provide primary health and dental care. Services provided include primary health care, dental care, medical laboratory services, pharmacy, mother and child and health support, psychosocial support, and essential medicines and hygiene kits. 

Additionally, families have received cash transfers to promptly address urgent needs, including purchasing water, food, and other essentials. These services are critical right now. The plan remains to scale up the response significantly when humanitarian assistance can flow more freely into Gaza. 

Ukraine 

Since 2022, the conflict in Ukraine has led to significant loss of life, injuries, and the mass displacement of civilians both within the country and into neighbouring regions. Infrastructure and housing have been extensively damaged, forcing many people to flee their homes.

 PWS&D continues to respond to those humanitarian needs by supporting projects being carried out through ecumenical partnerships at ACT Alliance and Canadian Foodgrains Bank. 

Through ACT Alliance, households have received emergency food assistance and emergency non-food items, including hygiene kits and medical supplies. Canadian Foodgrains Bank partners have provided cash assistance to those most in need, allowing them to buy food and other essential items.  These responses are just a few examples of how vital our ecumenical collaborations are and how effective our responses can be when we combine resources to work together. In recent months, ecumenical relationships have also enabled therapeutic nutrition for malnourished children in Sudan, food and water and sanitation support for people displaced in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and food assistance in Syria, to name just a small sample. 

With the help of our partners and your faithful support, PWS&D is not only able to respond immediately but also expand our reach and impact. Our ability to work for a compassionate and just work is made more possible because of ecumenical relationships. 

*This story was first printed in the Fall 2024 issue of Presbyterian Connection newspaper.