from Fourth Press, January 2007


“Thank-You from UNICEF ”

In “Making an Investment in the Middle East” (December 2006 Fourth Press), we reported that Fourth Church has set aside one percent of its invested funds to make positive investment in Israel and the Palestinian territories: “Fourth Church has so far invested a portion of that in five Israeli companies and is seeking similar commercial investment opportunities in the territories. That search has been complicated by the economic turmoil that has engulfed the Palestinian territories since the election of Hamas and the subsequent cutoff of aid from Western governments, including the United States.

“Because a humanitarian crisis has ensued, in which Palestinians lack critical supplies such as food and medicine, and because that burden has fallen heavily on innocent children, Fourth Church committed $20,000 to UNICEF for its work in relief for Palestinian children. Initially we were told by UNICEF that due to government restrictions on funds going into the Palestinian territories, UNICEF could not accept the gift. However we later learned that partly due to our example of financial commitment, UNICEF was able to work with our government to accept the funds and earmark them for relief projects.”

In response to that gift, the following letter was received by John Buchanan and Martin Sherrod, Clerk of the Session, on October 30, 2006.

Dear Reverend Buchanan:

I would like to express my gratitude for your thoughtful gift of $20,000, received on October 17, 2006, to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. As you have requested, your contribution will be used to assist Palestinian children.

As you might imagine, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF does not receive many earmarked gifts for the children of Palestine. We admire your initiative to promote peace and justice among Israelis and Palestinians and applaud your leadership in this area. Because of your congregation’s generosity, many children in this overlooked part of the world will be able to live safer, healthier lives.

Life has deteriorated dramatically for children since hostilities broke out in Gaza in recent months. With little or no access in and out of Gaza, the strip is cut off economically from the outside world. This not only creates shortages of food and fuel but amplifies already high poverty levels. Stocks of essential medicines are at critical levels and health facilities are struggling to provide adequate care. The spread of communicable diseases remains a threat.

Since late this summer, UNICEF has procured $2.9 million in medical supplies for over 400 health clinics. Additionally, neonatal unites in 17 hospitals have received supplies, equipment, and training to improve newborn care. As cases of malnutrition have risen, UNICEF has responded by providing more than 400,000 bottles of iron syrup, 13 million iron and folic acid tablets, and 108,000 bottles of vitamin A and D supplements while also promoting breastfeeding and appropriate child feeding practices. To better monitor child nutritional status, UNICEF and the World Food Program will be implementing nutrition surveillance and targeted school feeding programs in the months to come.

These are just a few examples of how your support will help Palestinian children. On behalf of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, thank you for partnering with us to build hope in the futures of these children.

Sincerely,
Charles J. Lyons, President