Christian Aid Global

The number of refugees who have fled the conflict in Syria has reached 1 million. Half of these refugees are children and most are under the age of 11. Many have made an arduous journey overland with their parents, hoping to find refuge in a neighbouring land. Christian Aid partners Association Najdeh and Mouvement Social are working in Lebanon to support refugee children who may be experiencing psychological and social problems as a result of their experiences. In this podcast, Janet Symes, Head of Middle East Region at Christian Aid and Tanya Khahil, Coordinator of Psychosocial Support at Association Najdeh, explain the effects of conflict on children, and the work that is being done to support refugee children from Syria. To donate to our Syria Crisis Appeal, please visit www.christianaid.org.uk/emergency #Syria #Lebanon #Conflict #MiddleEast

While millions around the world celebrate International Women’s Day, and the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meets to promote gender equality and empowerment at its annual conference in New York; Christian Aid’s Policy and Advocacy Officer for the Great Lakes, Chantal Daniel’s, reminds us how the daily threat of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo impacts gender relations.

In the latest stages of the IF campaign we are asking supporters to email or meet their MPs to ‘spill the beans’ on tax dodging in the run up to the government’s pending budget review. Find out more about how important it is for the government to maintain its commitment to the aid budget and the life changing impact that taxes would make to people living in developing countries.

To take action visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk/ActNow/if-enough-food/if.aspx

#IFcampaign #if #enough #aid #tax #ChristianAid #campaign #campaigning #lobby #budget #MP #parliament #food #hunger #justice #Ghana

Millions of Britons are using consumer power to boycott companies seen to be avoiding their fair share of UK tax, new research reveals.

A ComRes survey about public perceptions around tax avoidance, commissioned by Christian Aid, found a third of Britons say that they are currently boycotting the products or services of a company because it does not pay its fair share of tax in the UK.

Almost half (45 per cent) say they are considering a boycott. Find out more and add your voice to the debate at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/lobby

In late December 2007, Kenya descended into violence. Clashes which had been sparked by President Kibaki’s declaration of victory were spiralling out of control. The conflict rocked Kenya and shocked the world. It took more than a month for peace to be restored. On 4 March, Kenya will again go to the polls - the first since these violent clashes. Christian Aid communications officer Antoinette Powell spoke to colleagues in Kenya about what the organisation is doing to prepare. For more information on our work in Kenya and around the world visit www.christianaid.org.uk

For centuries, Haitians have been migrating to the Dominican Republic for work. The Dominican economy relies on this labour, yet Haitian migrants have no rights in the Dominican Republic and often work in bad conditions for very low pay.

The children of Haitian migrants born in the Dominican Republic are also facing discrimination. Their Dominican citizenship is being taken away from them and the result is that they become stateless.

Francisco Leonardo is a human rights lawyer from Christian Aid partner Centro Bono. He is helping to lobby the government for better rights and treatment for both Haitian migrants and Dominicans of Haitian descent.

#Haiti; #DominicanRepublic; #humanrights; #statelessness; #poverty; #identity; #migration; #discrimination; #identity; #migrant; #exclusion; #inequality

The violent conflict in Syria has affected more than four and a half million Syrians, over 800,000 of whom have fled the country. Christian Aid’s emergency appeal for Syria and the Middle East is helping those in desperate need. We spoke to Janet Symes, Head of Middle East region at Christian Aid, to find out how our partners in the region are responding to the humanitarian needs of those affected by conflict. To donate to Christian Aid’s emergency appeal please go to www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies. #emergency #Syria #Lebanon #Iraq #MiddleEast #humanitarian

As fighting continues in Mali, with French and allied African troops pushing rebel groups further north, thousands of families have fled the conflict. This has put pressure on food supplies that were already scarce, leaving many more facing hunger. Communications officer Lilly Peel speaks to Christian Aid’s country manager, Yakouba Kone, about the organisation’s response and what is being done to assist displaced families in Mali and in neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso.

Claire Aston, Christian Aid's Churches Resources Manager, describes how the new 'Count Your Blessings' app, for Apple iPhones, iPads, iPods and HD Android, will help inspire your reflections throughout the 40 days of Lent.

Available on the app store and Google Play from 9th February. Visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/lent-2013/count-your-blessings/apps.aspx for more information.

About Count Your Blessings:

The conflict in Gaza last November caused widespread destruction and devastation to homes, agricultural lands and infrastructure. The effects of trauma and shock endured by Palestinians during the week of intense bombing have emerged. In this podcast, Hala Gishawi from Christian Aid partner the Women’s Affairs Centre in Gaza, explains how the organisation is supporting women who experience poverty and injustice in their lives as a result of the Israeli occupation and the continued blockade of Gaza. Christian Aid has launched an appeal to help the people of Gaza and across the Middle East who are suffering as a result of violent conflict. Please visit www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/gaza-middle-east-crisis-appeal/index.aspx #Gaza #Palestine #MiddleEast #Israel #gender #women #poverty #injustice #healthcare #conflict #occupation #blockade