CRISIS RELIEF RESPONSE

James 2:14-17 reminds us of the importance of marrying our words with actions, especially in times of crisis. You helped CBM support several relief efforts that provided food baskets and hygiene items to individuals impacted by natural disasters such as flooding in South Sudan and Pakistan, droughts in Kenya, and intense storms in Malawi, Rwanda, and Cuba. We were also able to assist thousands of individuals displaced by conflict in regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Lebanon, and Ukraine, and in refugee camps in Greece and Cyprus.

CBM’s single largest relief project in 2023 was to support winterization efforts in Ukraine. This project provided blankets, heaters, fuel, coats, and other items needed for internally displaced people to survive the winter months.

Our emergency appeal for earthquake relief in Türkiye and Syria raised over $260,000 which went towards food, hygiene kits, winter items (blankets, bedding, jackets etc.), clothing, and psychosocial support.

NEW THEME! CREATION CARE

In line with our stewardship of the earth, we added creation care as a focus area providing our partners with an opportunity to gain knowledge and practical skills beneficial for implementing future creation-minded projects. We provided training for our partner organizations on topics such as waste management, resource conservation, natural disaster risk mitigation, and the theology of creation care. These include the Togo Reforestation Campaign which aims to strengthen the capacity of communities to reforest empty spaces and improve people’s lives. Another such project is the Philippines Disaster Preparedness project which focuses on sharing knowledge and skills among pastors and church leaders on subjects such as managing crises, climate change, reforestation & environmental protection, and food security so that they can pass along that knowledge to their local communities.

PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENTS IN 2023 AND INTO 2024

CBM recently formed a partnership with the Baptist Convention of Egypt. Our 2023 collaboration efforts included a project to develop church leaders as well as support for two recreational centres, one for women and another for children and youth. The purpose of these spaces is to create a safe place where individuals have access to social support and educational opportunities.

Our new partnership with the Togo Baptist Convention (TBC) resulted in a successful drinking water project, a conservation agriculture project, and training in both reforestation and integral mission. We look forward to continue collaborating with TBC in 2024.

In Sri Lanka, we began work with Asia Pacific Baptist Aid beyond previous relief-based projects. One endeavour has been implementing the Disability Inclusive Ministries project aimed at training church leaders and congregants on how to include and support individuals with disabilities, an often neglected and isolated segment of the population in Sri Lanka. This project will be continuing in 2024.