MELKITE - GREEK
CATHOLIC PATRIARCHATE

 
The Patriarchate’s relief work
 
His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III Laham heads the Relief Committee assisted by his General Auxiliary, Bishop Joseph Absi and General Steward Father Maher Mansour. The committee is composed of a warehouse manager, treasurer, accountant and buyers together with a number of young people available on request besides other volunteers.
 
The Patriarchate seeks to meet the need of Syrians currently displaced by the violence prevailing in many parts of Syria. Many have fled to Damascus in search of security and assistance. The number of families receiving assistance is now about four thousand. This number is expected to continue increasing for the foreseeable future.
 
Areas that have been seriously affected are: the City of Homs (in particular the neighbourhoods of Bustan Al-Diwan, Al-Hamidiyeh, Bab Al-Sebaa, Karm El-Mishmosh), the City of Qussayr, the City of Aleppo (the Aziziyeh neighbourhood in particular) and the Damascus Countryside (especially Zabadani, Bludan, Daraya, Ma’alula, Harasta, Arbin, Jobar and Ain Tarma.)
 
Many homes need considerable restoration to become habitable again after being completely or partially wrecked, burned or looted. New construction is required, together with building and decorating materials. Services such as electricity, water and telephone need to be restored or introduced…
 
The assistance provided by the patriarchate consists of food, medical aid and domestic supplies, including mattresses, blankets, kitchen appliances, towels, heaters, lights, candles…
 
Aid is distributed from the headquarters of the patriarchate to registered families in need, regardless of denomination or religion.
 
The Patriarchate and the Relief Committee look to provide programmes that support development.  Currently, funding is sought for the creation of new jobs by starting up small businesses. Provision of financial loans will enable a number of needy families to earn a living in these difficult circumstances.
 
Small projects for implementation
 
1. Beekeeping
2. Photocopying and home publishing centre
3. Candle production
4. Reviving businesses and workshops affected by the war e.g. carpentry, hairdressing, wrought iron working etc.)
5. House maintenance and cleaning (various services)
6. Sweets factory
7. Land cultivation (including water well-drilling)
8. Beauty parlour and hairdresser’s
9. Parish cultural club (library and colouring books for children, music, computer literacy, handicraft, educational programmes)
10. Major project - building a vocational and educational training centre
 

Estimated cost	Requirements	Project 1
$2,000 $6,000 $1,000 $1,000 _______ $10,000 total	Land rental Beehives Filtering machine Other equipment	Beekeeping

 

Project 2			Requirements	Estimated cost
Photocopying and home publishing centre			Shop rental Photocopier (all purpose) Laminator	$2,000 $7,500 $1,000 ________________ $10,500 total
Project 3			Requirements	Estimated cost
Candle production			Shop rental Moulds and raw materials Various expenses	$3,000 $3,000 $1,000 ______________ $7,000 total
Project 4			Requirements	Estimated cost
Reviving handicrafts affected by the war e.g. carpentry, hairdressing, wrought iron working etc.)			Restoration of damaged shops New tools Work equipment	$4,000 $7,500 $1,000 _____________ $12,500 total
Project 5			Requirements	Estimated cost
House maintenance and cleaning (various services)			Shop rental Tools Various expenses	$3,000 $2,500 $1,000 ______________ $6,500 total
Project 6	Requirements			Estimated cost
Sweets factory	Raw materials Stove Various expenses			$1,000 $1,500 $1,000 ________ $3,500 total
Project 7		Requirements		Estimated cost
Land cultivation (including water well-drilling)		Well drill Irrigation system Labour Various expenses		$7,000 $5,000 $5,000 $1,000______________ $18,000 total
Project 8			Requirements	Estimated cost
Beauty parlour and hairdresser’s			Shop rental Equipment Generator Various expenses	$3,000 $2,000 $5,000 $1,000 _____________ $11,000 total
Project 9			Requirements	Estimated cost
Cultural club			Restoration of existing hall Generator Lighting Sound equipment Projector Books and toys Computers Locker and desk Various expenses Employee	$5,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,500 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 ________________ $14,500 total
Major project 10			Requirements	Estimated cost
Building a vocational and educational training centre			Land available Three storey building Equipment	N/A $1,000,000 $500,000 _____________ $1,500,000 total