CAFOD statement on the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank
Elizabeth Funnell, Country Programme Representative for the Middle East at CAFOD, comments on the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
Chris Bain, 64, will retire in December 2018 after 15 years as the Director of CAFOD.
Chris said, “I am proud and humbled to have been part of the life-changing work of CAFOD for the last 15 years. CAFOD’s sense of mission and purpose has never been stronger. We are in sound financial health and have a wealth of talent in our dedicated staff and volunteers.”
“Sustainable development, supporting the poorest communities across the world to live life to the fullest, remains at CAFOD’s heart. In the many times I have witnessed CAFOD’s work overseas, the results of our local intervention are clear – children attending school, farms flourishing and women taking the lead in their communities,” he said.
CAFOD has become a leader in humanitarian crisis response over the past fifteen years, working as part of a global network of Catholic agencies to respond quickly and effectively to events like Typhoon Haiyan or the Nepal earthquake.
The agency has also been at the forefront of action on climate change. Spurred on by reports from its partners of erratic weather patterns hitting poor communities and reversing hard-won gains to end poverty, CAFOD worked with others to successfully lobby the UK government to enact the Climate Change Act, making the UK the first country to set legally binding carbon targets. It currently works alongside the Holy See to push for progress at UN climate change summits.
Chris added: “These achievements have been possible because CAFOD is held fondly in the hearts of the Catholic community in England and Wales, who trust us to work alongside the poor on their behalf. We are blessed by their support and I say thank you to so many who have given generously their gifts, time and prayers.”
Bishop John Arnold, Chair of CAFOD’s Board of Trustees, said: “Chris has led CAFOD through great successes in challenging times. He leaves CAFOD having provided a clear directional purpose and strong sense of mission. On behalf of the Trustees, we thank him for his service in leading CAFOD as an evangelising witness of the Church, proclaiming the Gospel through action.”
The Board of Trustees will begin the recruitment process for a new Director in the coming months.
Notes to editors
For further information, please contact the CAFOD communications team on +44 (0)7919 301429
Elizabeth Funnell, Country Programme Representative for the Middle East at CAFOD, comments on the escalating violence in Gaza and the West Bank.
With support from CAFOD, Caritas Bangladesh is providing essential services including water and sanitation, nutrition, shelter, protection and some primary healthcare for pregnant mothers and children.
CAFOD has commented on three years since the Taliban's return to power, as the country continues to grapple with profound challenges.
CAFOD has commented on the famine declared in one of Darfur's largest displacement sites: Zamzam camp near Al Fasher, the besieged capital of North Darfur, Sudan.
Christine Allen, the Director of CAFOD, has received the university’s highest honour in recognition of her distinguished career in international development.
This move is a critical step towards supporting the education, health and wellbeing of Palestinian refugees who rely on UNRWA's essential services.
Funding pledged at Brussels VIII Conference to support Syria and the region falls short of the growing humanitarian needs in Syria, warned over 100 aid agencies.
Singer-songwriter and former X Factor finalist Talia Dean has teamed up with CAFOD to launch our first-ever Big Pilgrimage event.
“There is nowhere left to host the people now being displaced from Rafah," says Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD's Middle East representative.
A new poll published today by CAFOD, conducted by YouGov, has found that only 5 per cent of British adults think that Sudan is currently experiencing the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.