Last Updated: Wednesday - 01/05/2011

CCODP has raised $760,000 for Afghani refugees

OTTAWA — The Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace is getting $185,000 from the federal government to help so-called "invisible" refugees in Afghanistan.

The grant, from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), boosts to $760,000 the amount Canadians have donated so far to CCODP to aid millions of Afghani refugees suffering from the effects of drought, war and the onset of winter.

Invisible refugees are those who live in scores of makeshift encampments, mostly in Pakistan, and who don't hold official refugee status. Most are either elderly, handicapped, pregnant, or nursing mothers who live in conditions that Catholic agency called "appalling."

A CIDA spokesperson said Nov. 28 that the grant to CCODP - the development agency of the Catholic bishops of Canada - is part of the $10-million refugee aid package announced by Ottawa in October.

At that time, $2 million was allocated to Canadian non-governmental organizations.

The latest grant from CIDA will help about 11,000 people through a program developed by Caritas Pakistan.

Development and Peace said the money would be used to distribute 2,300 emergency kits containing mattresses, blankets, dishes, utensils, a camp stove, water cans and small personal items such as soap and combs.

"With the onset of winter, living conditions are becoming more difficult with each passing day," it said. "The kits will help to make life a little more bearable."

Donations for Afghan refugee relief can be sent to: Development and Peace — Afghanistan, 5633 Sherbrooke Street East, Montreal, Que., H1N 1A3 or by calling 1-888-664-3387.

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