MINUTES OF MEETING OF INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION FOR AID AND DEVELOPMENT

Wednesday 29 July 2015, 2 pm

Present: B. O’Reilly, L. Fitzpatrick, B. Fabre, L. Vanderkerken, U. Mattfeldt, R. McGowan, U. Mattfeldt Apologies for absence: J. Spiewak, J. Lee, P. Bonnassies, C.H. de Parseval

Secretary: S. Joachim

The Vice-president General, Brian O’Reilly, passed on apologies from Julien Spiewak, Pierre Bonnassies, John Lee and Claire-Hélène de Parseval.

OPENING PRAYER

Brian O’Reilly welcomed everyone and led the opening prayer.

He quoted Matthew 18, 20: "Whenever two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the midst of them".

Brian asked the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions at this meeting. He prayed to Saint Vincent de Paul, Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and Blessed Sister Rosalie Rendu. He also recalled that Saint Vincent de Paul love to ask God for help, referring to John 6, 44 : "After multiplying the loaves, Jesus said to the crowd of the Jews: "No-one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up on the last day".

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF MEETING ON 22 APRIL 2015

The minutes were approved unanimously with no changes, by CIAD.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Liam Fitzpatrick explained the spreadsheets given to each member of CIAD: from January to July 2015, the total amount received by CIAD (Solidarity or specific funds) came to 949,576.05 €. The total outgoings for the same period were 351,461.29 €.

Finally on 27 July 2015, The total of our Solidarity Funds comes to €2.7m, of which €219k is in the General Disaster and Solidarity Fund - an acceptable situation.

FUNDS SENT BETWEEN MEETINGS

Philippines

The Philippines asked for the third instalment (1st half of year two) of the funds previously approved for the education part of their reconstruction programme following Typhoon Hayan. 68,511 € has already been sent to fund school costs (school fees, equipment and uniforms, meals and transport)

for 700 children in secondary and tertiary education.

Rwanda

This is an aid project for Burundi refugees in Rwanda. A first instalment of emergency aid has been sent already and a report on its use received (distribution of food and clothing). It was therefore decided to send a second instalment of 2000 €, according to the normal emergency procedure.

Nepal

A first instalment of 3000 euros has already been sent. The report on its use has been received so a second instalment of 2000 € has been released under the normal emergency aid procedure. The overall usage report shows help given to some 1000 families, with distribution of first response equipment (dhal, rice, water, tea, noodles, sugar, oil, tents, etc.). The reconstruction phase will take time because there are so many limitations and legal obstacles imposed by the Nepalese government, which is making very slow progress. The Society is required to work alongside Caritas, whose work is limited by the government to building houses.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

Bangladesh

A full report has been received on the use of funds sent this winter to purchase blankets. Despite the problems created by the situation in the country, 8000 blankets were purchased and distributed.

"Pencil project"

The Philippines were again chosen as recipient of this project, sending school equipment collected in Canada, on the one hand because of the legal problems relating to imports and high taxes imposed in other possible countries, and on the other hand, because of the serious need continuing in this country following the devastation of the typhoon. This year, the goods will go to the most remote, difficult to reach islands, to aid local Indigenous People living in poverty whom the Society helps.

DISCUSSION TOPICS

Burkina Faso

Repair work costing 8500€ is needed for the National Council building, which is falling down. The building is also used as a family centre, for social events and as a meeting place. The premises should belong to the National Council of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. Confirmation of this is needed. CIAD decided to send the 8500€.

Bolivia

The SSVP in Cochabamba is organising physiotherapy sessions in one of its buildings, which mainly offers a canteen for elderly people. In order to offer the people it helps the best possible service, the Society wants to purchase equipment for the centre, and is requesting 2000 € from CIAD.

The Commission would like more details about the project, especially the costs paid by some patients, and the amount received by the volunteer running the project for transport costs.

Nonetheless, CIAD wants to support this excellent project, and when satisfactory replies are received to queries, it will send 2000€ to meet the needs of the project.

Jordan

This project is to help Iraqi and Syrian refugees arriving in Jordan, with a total of 55,000 €. Over recent years, this country has not submitted any project to CIAD, and there has been little contact.

In principle CIAD supports this project, but wants to move forward gradually.

CIAD has decided to send a first instalment of 10,000€ then assess the situation once a report on the use of the funds is received. We are meeting on 23 September for the next CIAD.

Syria, Aleppo

Through SSVP France and the Rhône SSVP, and with their help, the Society in Aleppo has submitted a request for general support to help it continue to operate and provide aid to people who are victims of the terrible situation there, especially the Christians surviving despite the mass departures abroad. As we know, Syria is at war. The needs are vast, with a total budget of 137,915€ for fuel oil for families and the old people’s home, distribution of new clothes to families, funding surgery and medicines, repairing damaged homes and businesses, buying food, medicines, cleaning products and washing machines for the old people’s home, etc.

Alongside this we received a priority application for 6845€ to cover costs at the home for 4 months.

CIAD members want to help Syria as much as possible, and think it is necessary to determine the role of everyone involved, so a meeting is planned with the French members. For now, CIAD decided to send 20,000€, to include the 6845€ project.

Turkey

This is a recurrent submitted by Bruno LACANDELA, president in Turkey, for school costs for 10 children from deprived environments (school fees, transport, equipment and meals) for 2015-2016. The total amount of the project is 20,446.20€ and CIAD est de 10,137€.

Although the project is strongly supported by its coordinator, Carla Sandroni, there is no news from the Vice-President, Dr. László Dr. KÖNCZÖL, despite many e-mails sent.

CIAD decided to send Turkey the sum of 10,137€, subject to approval by László KÖNCZÖL.

Romania

Ulrike recalled that 6000€ was sent for a palliative care project in Romania. Unfortunately, the project has not yet started, since the doctor who was supposed to manage it has been imprisoned. The Conference and the members responsible for the project are looking for a solution. In the meantime, CIAD suggests that the Romania Council takes charge of the funds and only releases them with CIAD’s express permission, for this project only.

INFORMATION AND OTHER MATTERS

South Sudan

The instability and political violence in South Sudan have caused significant population movements.

The Society wants to help several hundred families in a camp, but the project presented is incomplete and not detailed enough to be acceptable. Given the urgency of the situation, CIAD decided to send 3000€, according to its normal emergency procedure.

Uganda

This is a project to help Burundi refugees, totalling 12,794€, which does not yet have support from the Territorial Vice-President or the coordinator, and therefore cannot be accepted. Here too, given the urgent situation, CIAD decided to send 3000€ as emergency help.

Haiti

The Council of Haiti has asked several countries to provide help to the large numbers of Haitians expelled from the Dominican Republic in recent weeks. These countries have agreed that it is not a question of twinnage, but rather a project that CGI has to coordinate. The sum of 30,000 US dollars is requested, but the project is incomplete and cannot be accepted as it is. CIAD recognises the urgency of the situation and released the sum of 3000€ in emergency aid.

Burundi

This country has sent us several detailed reports on the progress of the work to help victims of flooding. The work is satisfactory so far, and we will be informed when the project ends.

Zimbabwe

Irish Vincentians visited the country recently in regard to twinnage. Rose McGowan asked them to visit the project supported by CIAD, but their report has not arrived yet, as they have only recently returned from Zimbabwe. Kenya

Brian reported from his visit to supervise the National President’s election. All projects supported by CGI are working well. The election procedure went well, and the Society has resumed normal work.

DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS
Wednesday 23 September 2015
Wednesday 18 November 2015

CLOSING PRAYER

Brian thanked all those present and recited the prayer.
Brian O’Reilly Vice-president General