Since their arrival to Jordan in August 2014, Iraqi Christian refugees were living in improvised church premises, halls and caravans. The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has been helping them unconditionally by paying their accommodations and utilities. The most essential fields of support for the refugees are: first, the educational support – school fees for 1,100 students, transportation for 745 students, book fees for 1,100 students, uniform fees 1100 students, un-formal EDU 300 students, life skill trainings for 450 students. Moreover, the LPJ provided around 11,235 displaced Iraqi families with humanitarian support, such as: cash money, food, clothes, shelter, water, medicine, hospital fees, transportation, etc.
The LPJ, with the support of its benevolent benefactors from the Belgium Lieutenancy and Foundation, is committed to extend support to refugee families. We started with the initiative of providing food coupons to each family in order to help care for some of the basic needs for food and toiletries while respecting their individual preferences. “The Lord is compassionate and merciful,” this is the slogan of the new program. Each family receives a coupon for 50 Jordanian Dinars Rather than a box of pre-selected items. 136 families are enrolled in this program and the total cost of it is JOD 6,800.
The LPJ has established an agreement with a local store that accepts the coupon as payment for approved goods. To preserve the integrity of the program and allocate the funding to legitimate needs for hunger and hygiene, certain items are exempt for purchase. Each coupon is accepted currency for a large variety of items to include desirable commodities like tuna, powdered milk, processed cheese, soap, detergent, tea, rice, and sugar.
Lord, come to the aid of families who have fled to safety. Guide them to places where they can find help and rest. Provide host communities with the resources to assist families arriving on their doorstep. Lord, we trust in You.
Source: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
