In February 2020, PACES delayed the start of its sports program scheduled to launch in March due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Nonetheless, to continue supporting PACES program beneficiaries and vulnerable communities in Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon, PACES launched the 'COVID-19 Initiative'; offering emergency assistance to communities impacted by the pandemic. The initiative kicked off with an offline campaign with the support of long-term individual and corporate donors, and resulted in $835,000 in donations to date. This online grassroots campaign, has been launched to complement and to add to the original initiative, in the hope of reaching a wider group of donors and supporters.
The spread of the disease resulted in an economic and social crisis, leaving thousands of Palestinian refugee families and marginalized communities with very limited access to food and health-services. They are deprived of basic necessities, and are at high risk for severe illness; their physical health, safety, and wellbeing are greatly compromised.
PACES staff have been working tirelessly to identify families in need, giving priority to those suffering from unemployment, poor housing conditions, and shortage of proper infrastructure, and taking into consideration the needs and regulations of each country. All support provided under this initiative is administered directly by PACES or in collaboration with local partners and other non-profit organizations.
Under the 'COVID-19 Initiative', PACES is providing families with food parcels and hygiene kits, and health professionals with PPE kits and medical equipment.
To facilitate the disbursement of packages and kits to target beneficiaries, PACES established emergency partnerships with a few local and international organizations, and is in the process of finalizing with many others. Following is the list of organizations;
Palestine: PCRF, Medical Aid for Palestine, Inash AlUsra Association, Jeel Al Amal for Orphans, Al Rahmeh Center for Seniors, Community Based Rehabilitation Society Central, Palestine Goodness Association, The Salvatorian Sisters Nursing Home, Action Against Hunger, and SOS Village.
Jordan: Naua, and SOS Village.
Lebanon: Women's Program Association, Medical Aid for Palestine, Social Help Association, and Al Baraem Association.
Inspired by the work of Nasser Jaber of The Migrant Kitchen which is providing thousands of free daily meals to healthcare workers in New York, PACES will be donating 250 meals daily to nurses, doctors, patients and their companions at Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem during Ramadan under the 'COVID-19 Initiative'. The PACES Kitchen Project' will also invite chefs, mostly Palestinian, from around the world to create special healthy menus for the meals. Leading the effort in the first week with Nasser is Joudie Kalla, a Palestinian Chef based in the UK and best-selling author of Palestine On A Plate and BALADI cookbooks.
The project is launched at The Augusta Victoria Hospital, which is known for providing services for the local Palestinian community mostly on a charitable basis, with aims to expand and benefit other hospitals in Palestine during Ramadan and beyond.
With your help, we can reach and support a greater number of families and health professionals in Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon.
You can support our initiative by contributing directly to the campaign. Simply click on the 'DONATE' button and make your donation.
Also, please help us spread the word by sharing this campaign page with your friends and family!
For more information, please email us at info@pacescharity.org
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