Present: B. O'Reilly, L. Fitzpatrick, U. Mattfeldt, R. McGowan, S. Haffar, P. Bonnassies, L. Vanderkerken, B. Fabre, S. Joachim.

Apologies for absence: J. Lee, J. Spiewak

Minutes: CH. de Parseval

Brian O'Reilly welcomed everyone. President General Dr. Michael Thio welcomed Samir Haffar to the Commission. Given the exceptional circumstances in Syria, Samir has been appointed as Correspondent for Syria and will work closely with the National President of Lebanon in support of the people of Syria.

OPENING PRAYER
Brian led the opening prayer.
He quoted Matthew 18, 20: "When two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them."

Then he told a story about Pope Francis. When asked if his public accessibility did not make him fear for his life, he replied, "Only God can take my life".

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING ON 18 NOVEMBER 2015
The minutes were approved unanimously, with no changes.

FINANCIAL UPDATE
Liam Fitzpatrick presented the financial statement.

We started the year with 2.1 million euros in the General fund and ended it on 31 December 2015 with 3.3million euros. During the year, thanks to appeals and to our generous donors, we have received 2 million euros. The 3.3 million euros are mostly destined for special funds: 180,000 euros for Iraq and Syria, 109,000 euros for Lebanon refugees, 1.2 million for the Philippines and finally 1.2 million for Nepal.

The Nepalese government is still blocking distribution of funds for rebuilding homes. We have to be patient and pray that the situation is resolved, because the people are suffering.

FUNDS SENT BETWEEN MEETINGS

UGANDA
We received a request for aid for Burundi refugees at the Kyangwali camp, needing a budget of over €10,000 for a project supplying food, tools and seeds, as well as a project of €2,735 to supply medicines toa clinic run by the SSVP in the Congolese refugee camp of Kiryandogo. Both projects were approved at the last meeting but were awaiting confirmation of the contribution from Ireland. Having received this confirmation, we sent €12,750, of which Ireland contributed 7,750 euros.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
A first tranche of €10,000 was sent, and a very detailed report on the use of the funds has been received. The funds were used to help over 150 families buy basic household goods. It was also intended to purchase shoes and blankets, but because of the shortage of goods and the increased prices, some of the money for this project was spent instead on buying toys for children at Christmas. As agreed at the last meeting, as the report had been validated by CIAD, the VPTI and the Coordinator, the second tranche of €10,000 has been sent.

Members can follow the latest news from the Central African Republic by using this link:
http://en.ssvpglobal.org/News/National-Councils-news/Central-African-Republic-the-SSVP-celebrates-Christmas-with-the-refugees

BANGLADESH
Following the floods, emergency aid of €3000 was sent. This money was used to distribute food and blankets to families affected by the flooding. We have received a detailed report, allowing us to send the next instalment of €2000.

MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

JORDAN
At the last meeting, we released a second tranche of €20,000 for aid to Syrian refugees (of the €55,000 requested). We received a report on the use of the funds, with invoices included: as intended, this instalment provided aid for 23 families for accommodation, paying rent for 2 months to the end of March. The situation will be reassessed now.

SYRIA
The situation in Syria remains extremely difficult: a brief but graphic insight into the difficulties that face the people of Syria on a daily basis was presented by Samir Haffar. More and more Christians are leaving Syria. Five years ago, there were 300,000 Christians living in Aleppo, now there are only 20 to 30,000.

Those who remain are of two kinds: those who have neither the means nor the energy to leave, and those who want to stay, come what may. The latter are a very small minority, but they are in general educated people, very active in charitable organisations such as SSVP, Caritas, and other such charities.

We want to help those who wish to do so to stay. The people who remain have on average a monthly income of 50 to 70 US dollars. This is wholly inadequate for an acceptable standard of living. There are constant power cuts, which may last for a week at a time, and water shortages. People have to draw water from wells. Another very serious problem during the winter is the shortage of heating oil: domestic heating oil is extremely expensive; people are cold and hungry. We are currently helping from 850 to 900 families, but we must be able to do better and more.

It is very important to ensure that the aid actually reaches the families and is really effective. We have to help the Syrians survive and be ready when the local situation changes.

The hope for Syria is that at the UN meeting the major world powers will together at last decide to say 'Stop'.

Nor must we forget to bring spiritual aid and we pray to Mary, Queen of Peace to intercede for us.

JERUSALEM
We received a request for 3 projects over 2 years for a total of €95,000 (kindergarten, professional training and medical aid). Funding for the first year has been released and projects have started. We are monitoring them closely. We wish to help Christian populations to stay put.

We have asked Australia, twinned with Jerusalem, but this country has already paid significant sums allocated to other projects. The question therefore remains of this recurring request for aid from CIAD.

LEBANON
Of 230,000 dollars received in 2015 from an American Foundation for help to refugees in Lebanon, 75,000 dollars has already been allocated to projects and distributed.

SOUTH SUDAN
We received a request for a project to build 3 rooms and a showroom for an SSVP brick and carpentry workshop. 2 rooms can be leased and produce an income, and the third will be used to accommodate the project manager. The showroom will be used to promote the factory's products (bricks and furniture). This seems to us an innovative, useful and well-designed project; there are however several questions unanswered and we have not yet received the agreement of the VPTI and the coordinator. We are waiting for more details before taking a decision.

TOGO
We received a request for help for education costs for 50 children. CIAD agreed aid of €1530. We will pay close attention to management of this project. Other larger-scale projects, including a pineapple plantation and help to rebuild businesses destroyed by flooding, are in the pipeline.

SUBJECTS FOR DISCUSSION

BURKINA FASO
Following flooding, we received a request for help in rebuilding homes for 20 families and providing support for families affected by malaria. This request is very imprecise, however; we are waiting for more details before taking a decision.

INFORMATION & OTHER BUSINESS

ROMANIA
As the doctor responsible for the project involving a palliative care clinic has been imprisoned, the VPTI is asking if funds allocated to the project (€6000) may be used for a project to help street children. CIAD approved this in principle but would like to receive details of this new project before the funds are released.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING: 15 March 2016 – 2pm

CLOSING PRAYER

Vice-President General Brian O'Reilly thanked everyone for their hard work ending the meeting with a prayer.

Brian O'Reilly
Vice-President General