Welfare Association Annual Review 2013-14

www.welfareassociation.org.uk 1 Contents

– 03 – Who We Are & What We Do

– 04 – Report of the Trustees

– 06 – Who We Supported

– 17 – Welfare Association in Numbers Acknowledgements

– 18 – Message from the Chairman

– 19 – Legacies

2 Welfare Association Annual Review 2013–14 WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO

Who We Are & What We Do Mission, objectives and activities

The Welfare Association supports humanitarian and development projects for some of the most vulnerable Palestinian communities.

Our work focuses on supporting Health: including maternal health, and empowering some of the most mental health, and supporting children impoverished families and the most with disabilities. marginalised sectors of society, with Our main objectives are the long term sustainable development Education: support for children with programmes where possible. In special educational needs, early advancement of education, response to the ongoing crisis in childhood development and active the relief of sickness and the and now the impact of the destruction in learning programmes. protection and preservation Gaza, Welfare Association has increased Additional Sustainable Development: its humanitarian relief work. of health, and the relief of in particular support for livelihoods poverty for the benefit of Our projects are designed in the and income generation including field following needs assessments in food security initiatives, support for the inhabitants of Palestine, consultation with local communities fishing communities, microloans and Israel, and and local partners, and subsequently rehabilitation of housing. discussed and approved by the trustees. (and in particular the Our programmes in Palestine and Emergency Humanitarian Relief: communities in the West Lebanon aim to provide support to e.g. provision of food, hygiene, & Bank and Gaza areas). the most marginalised and vulnerable blanket packs and children’s clothing communities. We work to support these to displaced families, shelter repairs, communities in the following areas: and water & sanitation projects.

Board of Trustees: Baroness Tonge (Chairman); Mrs Julia Helou (Treasurer); Mrs Hanan Al-Afifi; Mr John McHugo; Ms Mona Mohtasseb; Ms Clare Short Director: Caroline Qutteneh www.welfareassociation.org.uk 3 Report of the Trustees

The communities we work with have been increasingly affected by regional conflict and deteriorating political conditions which have exacerbated poverty. With the ongoing Syria Crisis there are more refugees in Lebanon than ever before.

The continued siege on Gaza, the storm and buildings, including the main power on the existing host Palestinian refugee floods at the end of 2013, and the plant, water and sanitation systems. Over community there. Thousands of newly devastation following the Israeli military 20,000 homes have been destroyed or displaced families from Syria are now assault on Gaza in the summer of 2014 severely damaged, leaving more than living in cramped and totally inadequate have required continued and intensified 100,000 people homeless. In response to conditions in the UNRWA camps for humanitarian interventions. this latest humanitarian crisis, we have and in the unofficial The conflict in Gaza lasted 50 days been providing fuel and medical supplies gatherings1 in Lebanon. Most arrived with over 2,200 Palestinians killed, with little more than the clothes on their including over 500 children. More than The war in Syria has taken the backs in urgent need of shelter, food and 11,000 Palestinians were badly injured lives of almost 200,000 people clothing. Welfare Association has been and many face permanent disability. responding to these families’ urgent needs There is widespread destruction and and displaced more than with emergency projects in Saida, Tripoli, devastating damage to key infrastructure 3 million people. Beirut and in the Beqa’a Valley, providing distributions of food packs, hygiene kits to hospitals, food packs and hygiene kits and urgent shelter repairs. to thousands of displaced families. We In the midst of these incredibly difficult have also been arranging surgeries for the circumstances with multiple emergencies, seriously injured (complex surgeries that WA field staff and local partners remain cannot be completed in Gaza Hospitals) in focused on our programme objectives Makassed Hospital in East Jerusalem. and have continued working throughout, The war in Syria has taken the lives of adapting programmes to changing almost 200,000 people and displaced circumstances and meeting urgent needs more than 3 million people, with over 1.1 to support families in crisis. This has been million of these refugees seeking shelter in a huge strain on resources so we have Lebanon. This has put an incredible strain intensified our fundraising efforts in order on Lebanon as a whole and particularly to continue this work.

1An informal settlement of Palestinian refugees where UNRWA (the UN Agency responsible for Palestine refugees) 4 does not have a mandate to provide shelter, water or sanitation services. Welfare Association Annual Review 2013–14 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Where we work

Territories occupied by Israel in June 1967 International Boundary Boundary of former Mandate Palestine Armistice Demarcation Line Town/City Official camp UMRWA Headquarters UNRWA Field Office

Map provided courtesy of UNRWA. The boundaries and names shown on the maps do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations SYRIAN ARABIC REPUBLIC

We would like to thank all of our supporters for their continued and generous contributions to the Welfare Association emergency appeals. Your commitment to our work and quick response to our appeals means aid reaches these families in crisis quickly and when most needed. Thank you for your help. WEST From 1st January – 31st December 2013 BANK Welfare Association raised over £1.3million. This income was raised from the general public, ECHO, the European Union, Big Lottery Fund and a number of trusts and foundations in the UK and overseas. The GAZA projects funded during 2013 include STRIP the Gaza emergency project supporting families flooded out of their homes, the ECHO emergency project supporting JORDAN Palestinians fleeing the conflict in Syria and now residing in very difficult conditions in Beirut, the new EU project to improve the living conditions of Palestinians in the Old City of Jerusalem and the first year of ISRAEL the Big Lottery Fund project empowering marginalised communities in south Lebanon. www.welfareassociation.org.uk 5 ACHIEVEMENTS IN OUR PROGRAMMES IN 2013

Who We Supported: Health Programmes

Our health programmes throughout 2013 have increased awareness of and support for children with disabilities, women’s health, family health, and mental health. We have continued the Gaza Community-Based Rehabilitation (Gaza CBR) Programme and we have also been able to focus on environmental health activities in south Lebanon.

Empower Marginalised families on low incomes will not need to Gaza CBR Programme Communities in South buy bottled water from shops. They will Within our well established Gaza CBR Lebanon also enable improved practices and safe programme we completed various In the new four-year project funded by the water long after project completion. All of projects across Gaza, providing critical Big Lottery Fund to Empower Marginalised the activities in this project will improve support for children with disabilities the lives of 10,274 families across three Communities in South Lebanon, social and their families. In 2013 we were able UNRWA Palestinian refugee camps (El workers have been receiving psychosocial to provide a range of services for 882 Buss, Rashidiyeh, and Burj el Shemali health training sessions which have children with disabilities throughout camps) and 2,970 families across nine included topics such as mental health, Gaza: 82 children from , Mughazi, informal gatherings near Tyre, (Shabriha, early childhood development, trauma and Mughraqa, Nuseirat and Deir Al Balah Wasta, Al Burghuliyeh, Itaniyeh, Kfar depression. located in the middle area of Gaza, 650 Badda, Jim Jim, Maashouk, Jal el Baher, children from Khan Younis and Following their training these social and Qasmieh), where Palestinians are and 150 children from Shejae’eya, Zeitun, workers were able to begin leading particularly marginalised, lack public Al Sabra and Al Sha’af in Gaza. A total community awareness-raising sessions services and suffer high poverty levels. of 4335 physiotherapy sessions were discussing women’s health issues. In the delivered to these children in their homes first two days they reached138 women, in addition to 3612 occupational therapy who were keen to attend, and actively sessions, where mothers were trained participated in these discussions. In the to carry out the basic exercise routines gatherings where local water sources necessary to improve and maintain their need urgent improvement 36 community child’s mobility. 4316 psychosocial therapy caretakers have participated in high sessions have been delivered to ease some level water management training and of the combined psychosocial trauma mentoring, which has included regular and difficulties children with disabilities water monitoring, testing and treatment living in a conflict zone experience. techniques. These upgraded skills will 1389 medical follow-up sessions were improve the water so it is safe to drink and conducted.

6 Welfare Association Annual Review 2013–14 WHO WE SUPPORTED: HEALTH PROGRAMMES

Family Health Programme In response to requests from local NGOs and UNRWA for a family health campaign in the camps and gatherings in Lebanon, we extended our Family Health Programme to south Lebanon in 2013. These families live in cramped conditions, in deep poverty and with very limited incomes. As a result studies show high rates of nutritional deficiencies, specifically amongst at-risk groups such as pregnant women, young children and people suffering from chronic diseases. To support this health awareness campaign the Family Health Binder previously developed by Welfare Association in a project in Nahr el Bared camp in north Lebanon was reprinted. The binder has key information presented in a straightforward non-technical style and with illustrations to increase Improve Health and Hygiene for Families understanding. Together with a varied programme of community briefings and 150 awareness-raising sessions for Also in Gaza we worked to improve other activities, this project introduced families, school staff and the local health and hygiene for families with the new binder as a practical reference community improved their knowledge children living below the poverty line. guide on key health issues and was and awareness of children with disabilities We supported 100 impoverished families very successful in increasing women’s at school, within the homes and within living in Deir al Balah, Buraij Refugee awareness of, and access to, health the community, including the rights Camp, Refugee Camp, Zawayda services in the camp. The binder has and needs of children with disabilities. and Al Nuseirat by improving their become a very popular and sought-out 86 mothers of the children have also living conditions, hygiene and sanitation reference guide amongst the community. been able to exchange knowledge and facilities. 70 homes were rehabilitated The subjects included in this Health experience through ‘Mother’s Group’ in varying degrees, depending on the Binder are: Maternal Health, Psychosocial discussion sessions. 16 children were priority needs identified. Works prioritised Health, Infectious Diseases, Chronic provided with assistive devices such as bathrooms and kitchens through re- Diseases, Nutrition, and Prevention & wheelchairs, elbow crutches and walkers. plastering and tiling walls and floors, Safety. In addition, two new chapters During rehabilitation sessions at their installation of showers, toilets and sinks were developed on Dental Health Care home, they were provided with training and painting of walls. A safer environment and Disability in Children. Everyone who in how to correctly use their devices. 10 was also established within the homes received binders previously was also children benefitted from having their to protect families from roof collapse able to add the two new chapters to their homes adapted for better access which and from unsafe materials, through binder. increased their independence and mobility the replacement of broken asbestos throughout their home. A total of eight roofing with metal-sheet or concrete schools were adapted to allow easy access roofing. The newly repaired roofs also for children with disabilities. provided protection from the cold winter temperatures and rain. Essential household items were also made available to families, including 70 gas cooking units, 60 blankets and 210 mattresses. www.welfareassociation.org.uk 7 ACHIEVEMENTS IN OUR PROGRAMMES IN 2013

5000 copies of the new 8-chapter binder were printed in addition to 850 additional copies of the two new chapters as inserts for the previously-printed binders for families in Nahr el Bared as part of the previous project. Training in family health and how to use the binder was provided The programme has been to kindergarten teachers and community supporting women to improve social workers who were involved in the distributions. The final distributions and their health and increase community awareness raising events took awareness of the place in 2014. importance of regular health checks.

Maternal Health Programme in Lebanon We have also continued to provide support for pregnant women, new mothers and newborn babies through our Maternal Health Programme in Lebanon. The programme has been supporting women in Nahr el Bared Camp to improve their health and increase their awareness of the importance of regular health checks. Each expectant mother received a pregnancy health kit and a newborn baby kit following delivery, which included essential vitamin supplements, breast and sanitary pads, baby lotion, shampoo and soap, baby blanket and nappies. They also received follow-up visits from social workers to conduct post-natal health checks. This programme was able to support a total of 507 pregnant women and included 70 displaced Palestinian refugees who had fled the crisis in Syria and found shelter in Nahr el Bared camp. These pregnant refugees from Syria have particularly limited access to maternal health services and lack the resources to obtain essential items for themselves and their newborn babies. 146 pregnant women were identified to be ‘high risk’ and therefore went on to healthcare professional on topics such as mothers after the end of the project. receive monthly follow-up visits from nutrition, anaemia, contraception, exercise During home visits further informational the social workers in order to monitor for pregnant women, newborn baby care material was distributed to the women their condition and provide essential and breast cancer. These social workers including the pregnancy health calendar healthcare advice. 16 social workers will continue transferring vital knowledge and the family health binder, both underwent intensive training provided by a to pregnant Palestinian women and new developed by Welfare Association.

8 Welfare Association Annual Review 2013–14 WHO WE SUPPORTED: EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

Who We Supported: Education Programmes

Our education programmes in 2013 have provided support for children with special educational needs as well as support for traumatised children living in conflict zones, early childhood development and training and capacity building to upgrade local skills and ensure self-sustainability when the programmes end.

School-Based Counselling Programme for Sun Centre Club Traumatised Children in Gaza In March we completed the upgrade of respect among children and respect for We completed the second cycle and the Sun Centre Club providing educational parents. A total of 420 one-to-one therapy received funding to begin a new third and social support to 202 children with sessions were delivered to 21 children and round of the much-needed School-Based learning difficulties aged 7–15 years old they received continuous observation to Counselling Programme for Traumatised in Gaza. The Sun Centre’s facilities and monitor their progress. 150 group therapy Children in Gaza. This programme has its staff’s skills have been upgraded and sessions took place and provided an been supporting some of the most active learning teaching methods are now opportunity to discuss any behavioural traumatised children living in conflict being used by trained staff who are able issues with the children. 252 one-to- zones of Gaza through the provision of to provide extra-curricular activities for one sessions with mothers provided an mental health support services within the children using interactive educational opportunity to discuss the background of their schools. The project begins with tools, picture books and handicrafts. This each child within their home environment six summer camps, inviting high priority has improved the learning experience of and its impact, to explore the child’s children to attend and is followed with the the 202 children that attend the centre. behaviour, and to advise parents on the establishment of professional counselling 22 children who attended the day centre most appropriate ways of supporting units within their schools. In Year 2 this have now been included in 16 schools as their children at home to complement programme supported a total of 1,334 a result of this project and their improved the therapy at the Sun Centre. Five children (aged 6-15 years), providing them skills. family group sessions with mothers were with psychosocial support to improve their The children participated in activities conducted, increasing interaction among wellbeing. 36 school counsellors received such as puppet shows, folk dancing and mothers and exchanging ideas and training and mentoring to improve their the screening of short educational films experiences. 88 school follow-up visits skills and the effectiveness of the services which served to develop their abilities were conducted for children who were they are able to provide to traumatised and educate them in an informative and referred to the project by their schools children. entertaining manner. Topics included the and for those who had been enrolled in 245 parents attended parent meetings importance of school attendance, anger mainstream schools following the project’s with teachers to introduce parents to the management and promoting mutual intervention. purposes and benefits of the units. www.welfareassociation.org.uk 9 ACHIEVEMENTS IN OUR PROGRAMMES IN 2013

Year 3 activities of this project began in June and six summer camps were held in Beit Hanoun – North Gaza, Al Tofah – Gaza City, Deir Balah and Maghazi Refugee Camp – Middle Gaza, Bani Suhaila and Qarara – South Gaza. These are all areas that have been badly affected by conflict and consequently children are in the greatest need of support. Each camp lasted for 10 days. Activities included sports and team building activities to Early Childhood Development scholarships really helped to ease the re-build the children’s self-confidence At Baalbek Kindergarten, Camp, in financial burden many of these poorer and allow them to make new friends, as Beqa’a, Lebanon we completed an Early families experience and enabled their well as art and drama activities to allow Childhood Development project. We children to attend kindergarten. We were the children to express their emotions supported the kindergarten by improving able to include 11 Palestinian refugee appropriately without embarrassment its infrastructure and outdoor play area, children from Syria. and in the presence of trained specialists. providing educational resources and 100 new story books were added to the They also enjoyed therapeutic day trips materials for children, and by providing kindergarten library and reading activities to the zoo and beach, taking them out of scholarships for some of the poorest took place as part of the “My mum can their usual conflict environments to relax, students. The kindergarten is located in read” activity that was initiated two years de-stress and enjoy themselves with their Wavel Camp, east of Beirut in the Beqa’a ago through the Pre-school Education friends. Valley. It currently serves 223 children. We Programme – this activity was designed 170 mothers and caregivers of the children completed urgently needed renovation to improve the reading skills and self- participated in six awareness-raising work to upgrade the toilets, repair a confidence of participating mothers so sessions, where behavioural issues and leaking roof, and restore and redecorate they can help their children read and stress management were discussed and rooms that were previously damp. Partial encourage interest in reading. Having advice was given on how best to support scholarships supported 50 children from completed the final year of kindergarten, their children. Counselling units will be the poorest backgrounds for 9 months, 80 children entered formal education with established in six further schools. and covered 60% of their fees. These UNRWA in the autumn.

10 Welfare Association Annual Review 2013–14 WHO WE SUPPORTED: ADDITIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

Who We Supported: CASE STUDY: Additional Sustainable Empowering Palestinian Development Programmes Communities in South Lebanon Our additional sustainable development programmes in 2013 have supported the development of livelihoods, so that key family members are able to work and can generate an income to support their families’ needs. In particular this year we have focussed on the provision of micro-enterprise loans and support for fishermen in south Lebanon. We have also been able to begin work rehabilitating homes for marginalised families in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Fatima, 40, is a Palestinian refugee woman from Burj Al Shemali refugee camp near Tyre in south Lebanon. Microloans In May 2013, she applied for a microloan to expand her charcoal Within the Big Lottery Fund project to grocery shops, taxi services, electricians, business. empower marginalised communities food and drink providers, clothes and living in south Lebanon, an important accessories shops, plumbers, general With the influx of refugees from Syria component is the provision of microloans construction, photography, tailors and and their needs for fuel for cooking with special focus on women and painters. and heating, she saw an opportunity Palestinians with disabilities, to allow to help and at the same time expand them to start up or upgrade their own her business with a new service businesses and begin earning a steady providing kerosene and diesel. She income for their household. received a loan of US$550 in June 2013 which she used to buy plastic When the loans are repaid these funds containers to distribute the fuel in. go into a revolving fund which will Fatima has been able to increase her make further loans available to future These microloans are net monthly income to help support applicants within the community, thereby supporting a variety of her family of six. She is now thinking increasing its impact. We have already of expanding to gas bottles. seen great successes with this programme business ventures such as in our previous project in Nahr el Bared. A grocery shops, taxi total of 70 microloans have been awarded so far. These microloans are supporting services, electricians, a variety of business ventures such as plumbers & painters. www.welfareassociation.org.uk 11 ACHIEVEMENTS IN OUR PROGRAMMES IN 2013

This assistance enabled the fishermen to fix or replace their equipment and start earning an income again

Supporting Marginalised Palestinian Families and Children of Jal El Baher Gathering, South Lebanon In September we completed this project which supported 65 fishermen and 295 children in this impoverished Palestinian refugee community on the edge of Tyre. 11 boat owners and 54 equipment owners – whose boats, nets and other equipment had been damaged as a result of the severe storms – were provided with funds ranging from $420 to $1700. In addition, 295 children aged 6-13 received essential winter jackets and shoes to support them through the cold winter. We were also able to include 20 children whose families had recently fled Syria and taken shelter in Jal El Baher.

Restoration and Rehabilitation of Housing in Jerusalem’s Historic Urban Core In August, we received a grant from the EU facilities. The works will also ensure of Conservation Projects’ started in for a new three-year project to improve the preservation of important historic November and will coincide with the housing conditions for Palestinians living elements within the buildings. works for the first two houses as well in and around the Old City of Jerusalem, So far, five houses have been selected as with a short intensive course on by restoring 14 residential units. for rehabilitation and restoration conservation, ensuring the trainees This will include urgent rehabilitation and two are already in the tendering will benefit from practical on-the-job works to flooring and roofs, stairways, phase and three are now in the design training and improving their skills in the doors and windows and upgrading phase. The first training course in ‘Site restoration of historic houses in the old electrical systems and sanitary Management, Planning and Management Old City.

12 Welfare Association Annual Review 2013–14 WHO WE SUPPORTED: EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN RELIEF PROGRAMMES

Who We Supported: Emergency Humanitarian Relief Programmes

Our emergency humanitarian relief programmes in 2013 provided urgent support to those affected by Israel’s November 2012 bombardment of Gaza, food packages to impoverished families in Gaza during Ramadan, emergency support for refugees from Syria living in terrible conditions throughout Lebanon, urgent cash assistance for newly arrived refugees from Syria, qurbani meat packages to refugee families from Syria to celebrate Eid al Adha in Lebanon and emergency support to some of the worst affected families following the Gaza floods in December 2013.

Supporting Emergency Gaza Emergency Appeal Humanitarian Needs in Gaza Following the eight day Israeli military families with each family receiving two As additional funds were received, in assault on Gaza from 14th–21st November blankets each, and 100 children’s clothing March 2013 we were able to extend 2012 which saw 163 deaths and 1,269 parcels to 100 families whose homes were our emergency response and provide casualties as well as serious damage to damaged and the contents ruined. We also pharmaceutical items and medicine kits, many buildings and homes, we launched completed some essential home repairs medical disposable items (sutures and our Gaza Emergency Appeal to provide such as replacing broken window frames, dressings), food parcels, blankets and support to badly affected families in Khan panes of glass and replacing damaged children’s clothes to those badly affected. We provided a total of 100 medicine kits Younis, south Gaza. asbestos roofs with corrugated metal to injured persons and 90 disposable sheeting for 126 families. These repairs We provided 400 food parcels to displaced medical kits especially to those with families. These contained 20 essential ensured that families were able to return amputations or burns. We also distributed items such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, home and were not made permanently 227 food parcels and 227 blankets to minced meat and cheese. 100 parcels homeless. Through this project we were some of the poorest families living in of milk were distributed to families with able to support a total of 306 families very difficult conditions as well as724 young children. We were also able to (2,343 individuals) who were badly children’s clothing parcels to help them provide 200 double-sized blankets to 100 affected by this bombardment of Gaza. keep warm during the cold months. www.welfareassociation.org.uk 13 ACHIEVEMENTS IN OUR PROGRAMMES IN 2013

Gaza Burns Unit Support Supporting Syria Crisis Refugees Living Following the Israeli military operations in South Lebanon in Gaza (‘Cast Lead’ assault in 2008/9 and In response to the growing humanitarian ‘Pillar of Defence’ attacks in November crisis resulting from the violent conflict We provided essential food 2012), the Burns Treatment Services in in Syria we implemented a number of packages and hygiene kits to Gaza have struggled to cope with the scale emergency programmes throughout 2013 of severe burns needing urgent treatment. and into 2014 to provide urgent assistance 800 families... providing In response, this project helped to upgrade to some of the most vulnerable refugees support to 4,500 the equipment and provided training for living in terrible conditions in the camps key staff to upgrade their skills. New skin and gatherings throughout Lebanon. In individuals. grafting equipment was purchased to save May we worked to improve the living operating time in theatres and reduce conditions of 4000 Palestinian refugees patient distress. Intensive training was who had fled the conflict in Syria and were provided for two Palestinian anaesthetists now residing in Lebanon. We provided (pictured on previous page) through a 400 displaced families in Qasmieh and Supporting Syria Crisis Refugees Living combination of distance learning and Shabriha gatherings near Tyre in south in North and South Lebanon additional training in the UK in intensive Lebanon with a one- off voucher to allow Through further funding received in June, care, rehabilitation and pain management them to purchase essential food items in we were able to expand our emergency for children suffering with severe burns. pre-qualified stores. programme in Lebanon to include some 400 displaced families also received a one- of the most vulnerable families living in off voucher to purchase clothes for their very poor conditions in Beddawi refugee children again in a pre-qualified store. camp in Tripoli, north Lebanon and in Ein 360 displaced children living Wadi Zeina El Helweh refugee camp in Saida, south gathering near Saida received a one-off Lebanon. We provided essential food Distribution of Ramadan and Zakat al clothing voucher. packages and hygiene kits to 250 families Fitrah Food Parcels We identified13 shelters housing multiple in Beddawi refugee camp, and to 550 For the fourth consecutive year, we have refugee families in Qasmieh gathering as families in Ein El Helweh refugee camp. supported some of the most impoverished needing urgent rehabilitation. This work The food packages included canned meat, families throughout Gaza during was completed in 2014 and included cheese, milk, rice, pasta, beans, lentils, Ramadan. weatherproofing doors and windows, sugar, flour, and oil, etc. The hygiene kits Families prioritised to receive the parcels installing basic plumbing for improved included soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, were poor families, families with disabled hygiene standards, replacing electrical toothpaste, sanitary pads, toilet paper and children, families supporting orphan wiring for improved safety, new water cleaning detergent. In total we were able children and large families with more than tanks and roof repairs to prevent leaking. to provide support to 4,500 individuals. five members. Instead of the proposed 1,555 food parcels distributed to the poorest families in Gaza, thanks to our Gaza office team’s effective research and tendering processes which maximised savings, we were able to increase this number to 2,880 parcels, allowing the project to include an additional 1,061 families. In total 2,616 families received food parcels, with larger families receiving two parcels. Each parcel contained items such as cheese, rice, pasta, lentils, beans, tomato puree, cooking oil and dates.

14 Welfare Association Annual Review 2013–14 WHO WE SUPPORTED: EMERGENCY HUMANITARIAN RELIEF PROGRAMMES

Supporting Syria Crisis Supporting Syria Crisis Refugees Qurbani 2013: Supporting Syria Crisis Refugees Living in Beirut Living in the Beqa’a Valley Refugees in Beirut at Eid Al-Adha In August we received Building on the success of the emergency Eid Al-Adha is a time when traditionally funds from the European relief project that took place in Tripoli families gather from far and wide to pray Commission’s Department and Saida, in December we were able to together, enjoy lamb dishes and give gifts of Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection further expand this humanitarian relief of new clothes and money to children. (ECHO) to provide urgent support to programme to include the Beqa’a Valley Thanks to a new grant we received, we refugee families who had newly arrived area of Lebanon - where hundreds of provided packs of fresh meat to the in the camps and gatherings in the Beirut families who fled the Syria Crisis are poorest families. Priority was given to area. Following ID verification, camp visits scattered outside formal refugee camps, the most vulnerable Syria Crisis refugees and payments through a secure bank in very poor housing and in extremely bad and their hosts in in system, these families were provided with winter weather conditions. We distributed Beirut. cash assistance to help them purchase both emergency food packages and items they most urgently needed such as hygiene kits to 800 vulnerable families We were able to provide 1050 families food, hygiene items, bedding, mattresses (approximately 3,000 individuals). These with a 1.5 kg pack of fresh lamb, allowing and cooking equipment, winterisation packages were composed of the same them to enjoy the traditional celebrations items such as blankets, winter clothing and items which were based on the standard and benefit from a much-needed shoes, or even to pay monthly rent for the UNHCR-endorsed kit for Syrian refugees. nutritious meal. rooms they were living in. The cash assistance is in the form of bank cheques and these are only distributed to CASE STUDY: the head of household once their name and ID number has been cross-checked Supporting Syria with UNRWA and UNHCR lists confirming Crisis Refugees in that they are newcomers who have not yet received assistance. Between September the Beqa’a Valley and December 2013, we were able to Lebanon provide cash assistance cheques to 260 newcomer refugee families.

Mustafa, 38, a Palestinian refugee, fled just outside the camp.” in Damascus, Syria in In Yarmouk, Mustafa used to work in March with his wife and four children, home decoration and painting. His four making their way to Wavel refugee children (pictured right), Nadiya (11), camp in Baalbek in eastern Lebanon. Amera (7), Wadie (6) and Sahar (1) were Prior to fleeing Syria, Mustafa had been happy there, but they had to leave. shot in his right leg while trying to Following a difficult journey to Lebanon, collect a U.N. food parcel in Yarmouk. the family eventually managed to locate The camp had been besieged and cut off a small, two-room shelter in Wavel for weeks, and his family were starving. camp, but struggled to find any work, “I was waiting my turn to get my parcel, especially with Mustafa’s injured leg. when all of a sudden, we heard gun Welfare Association provided the family shots all around us,” Mustafa explained. with a food package, a hygiene kit and “I didn’t know what happened until I educational items for the children. managed to reach a nearby medical unit

www.welfareassociation.org.uk 15 ACHIEVEMENTS IN OUR PROGRAMMES IN 2013

CASE STUDY: Supporting Displaced Families Affected by Devastating ‘Storm Alexa’ in Gaza

Gaza Flood Crisis The people of Gaza were hit by a devastating winter storm (Storm Alexa) on 11 December 2013, which caused Laila is one of the many Gazans living in a shelter for five days before we extensive sewage overflows that flooded in Beit Lahia, in north Gaza, who were could return home. Our walls are badly residential areas, forcing thousands of affected by the devastating winter storm damaged and our furniture, clothes and people living in Gaza to be evacuated (Storm Alexa) and floods in December kitchenware need to be thrown out.” from their homes and moved to temporary 2013. Laila was subsequently evacuated shelters and relatives’ homes. from her home. She is a divorced mother Welfare Association provided Laila and Welfare Association responded to this of four girls living with her parents in her family with a food parcel, blankets, emergency by providing urgent support deep poverty. She has been unable to and clothing and items for school for her to the families that were badly affected find work and supports her extended daughters (pictured above) including by the severe flooding in Beit Lahia, north family with a stipend of approx. £295 school uniforms and school bags with Gaza. from the Ministry of Social Affairs stationery. A total of 1368 families were supported (MoSA), which they receive every three “Your support has been a great help. My months. through this project. 1075 families girls received new winter clothes, much received a rechargeable light set, 272 Laila said: “It was a nightmare. Our home better than their very old clothes that families received children’s clothing and everything in it was ruined by the were ruined. They are so relieved to go parcels for children aged 5-15 years old dirty water and sewage that flooded in. back to school with new clothes and the (three parcels per family), 136 families We were evacuated late at night when new school bags and stationery. Thank received food parcels, including milk rescue teams reached us. We stayed you for your kind hearts.” for children and 115 families received a school needs parcel (containing items for three children).

16 Welfare Association Annual Review 2013–14 WELFARE ASSOCIATION IN NUMBERS

Welfare Association in Numbers Acknowledgements Income and Expenditure in 2013 Welfare Association appreciate all the voluntary Restricted Programme help that has been offered Funds £1,138,947 to us during 2013.

General Donations £100,465 We have benefitted from a number of very generous gifts in kind. In Fundraising Events Income particular, the charity would like to £66,911 thank Mr. A. M. Qattan for generously continuing to provide us with free office accommodation. Investment Special thanks are also due to a £1,239 number of office volunteers who assisted throughout the year and to Total income Kensington and Chelsea Volunteer £1,307,562 Centre and TPP Voluntary Service for helping to recruit volunteers. We would also like to thank EU, ECHO, Big Lottery Fund and many other UK trusts and international foundations Restricted Programme who have generously funded our work. Grants £1,120,177

Project Activity Costs £78,293 Our thanks also go to Expenditure Cost of Generating Funds £29,056 our loyal supporters who generously respond to our Governance appeals and continue to £26,108 help us assist Palestinian Awareness Raising communities in £22,583 emergencies.

Total expenditure £1,276,217

www.welfareassociation.org.uk 17 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE

A Better Future for Palestinians

Message from our Chairman: Baroness Tonge

The Palestinian people are still struggling give their families a future, with minimal us to send funds immediately when there against an oppressive illegal occupation rights and services available to them. is a crisis, providing essential support to by Israel that brutalises their lives and We want to empower Palestinians to families when they need it most. steals their land. Tension in the be able to make a better future for Please do consider regular giving and is escalating. Gaza, has for the third time themselves. We were pleased to have whether you might be able to set up a in seven years been reduced to rubble our MPs vote in favour of recognising standing order with a regular donation and its infrastructure is no more. The UN Palestine as a state in October 2014. This each month for our work. Secretary-General described the scene is a positive move which finally reflects Or you might consider leaving us a legacy when he visited as ‘beyond description’. public opinion. We still have some way to in your will. For more information on There is an insurmountable task of go but our voices are being heard louder standing orders or legacies (opposite reconstruction to be undertaken there. than before. page) please contact our office: Tens of thousands of families are We want a better future for the children T 020 7259 2454 homeless. Children as young as six years of Palestine and one of the ways we can E [email protected] old in Gaza, have already lived through achieve this is through continuing to three devastating conflicts, witnessing war expand our critical work providing support or visit our website: and suffering traumas of injury, disability to the most vulnerable and marginalised www.welfareassociation.org.uk and the loss of family members, with the Palestinian communities. Regular giving Thank you for your support events and destruction of July/August is a crucial source of income for our 2014 the most devastating yet. Refugees charity because it allows us more control in camps and gatherings in Lebanon try to in planning programmes and it enables

18 Welfare Association Annual Review 2013–14 LEGACIES

Legacy for the Future of the Children of Palestine

A legacy is a gift left to a charity in your will and is one of the best ways to ensure that the good work we do continues.

Leaving a legacy in your will to Welfare school she was able to receive regular Your legacy could help uplift the lives of Association can make a huge difference to support and her parents were invited to many Palestinians, now and for a long time the lives of some of the most vulnerable join some of the sessions and discuss their to come. We work with children, women, Palestinian families, many of whom live concerns with the professional counsellor. families and communities to ensure your in poverty in very harsh and difficult Children like Amira are able to receive gift benefits them well into the future. All conditions. It does not take a large sum critical psychosocial support to diagnose gifts in wills, no matter how big or small, of money to make a big difference either. and address their needs, to rebuild their make a very real difference. Some people Gifts in wills can help to fund some of our self-esteem, learn new coping mechanisms find it difficult to make regular donations most important projects – from providing and develop study plans to improve to charity as their finances often don’t access to critical health care services for academic achievement, thus enabling stretch to it. Leaving a legacy to a charity children with disabilities to responding them to become more socially active, means that you are still able to provide quickly and effectively in cases of communicate better with their families for the causes you care about without it emergency. and enjoy school to create a brighter affecting your day-to-day finances. future for themselves. Your legacy could help someone like 8 Making a will doesn’t have to be costly or year old Amira (pictured right), in Gaza complicated. The best way to make a will to overcome the psychological trauma is through your solicitor or legal adviser. she suffers from living in a conflict zone Please help us to continue our vital work so that she can restore her falling grades by remembering Welfare Association in at school and fulfil her potential. By your will. inviting Amira to a special summer camp If you are either thinking of putting us in and providing a series of counselling and your will or if you have already done so therapeutic activities to help relieve her please let us know. For more information stress, she began to rebuild her self- on legacies visit our website at: confidence and enjoy group activities with www.welfareassociation.org.uk/ friends. She became less withdrawn and how-you-can-help/donate/leave-legacy began to join in with other children. This or call or email our office and request a project is also establishing counselling Legacy Info Pack units (CU) in schools in Gaza in locations where traumatised children urgently T 020 7259 2454 need support. Through the CU in Amira’s E [email protected] www.welfareassociation.org.uk 19 Welfare Association (UK), Tower House, 226 Cromwell Road, London, SW5 0SW T 020 7259 2454 | E [email protected] www.welfareassociation.org.uk

Registered Charity No. 1020238 20 Welfare Association Annual Review 2013–14