The Lutheran World Federation

Jerusalem

An Appeal to Sustain the Humanitarian

Services of Augusta Victoria Hospital

(January 31, 2006)

The recent political developments in Palestine and the apparent decisions by some of the international community to halt payments to the Palestinian Authority (PA) will have an immediate impact on the ability of the PA to honor its contractual obligations to Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) for the humanitarian services it provides.

The goal of the LWF is to ensure that there will be no interruption in the coming months in the treatment of any patients requesting treatment at the AVH, including those referred to AVH by the Palestinian Authority.  No further hardship or anxiety should be passed on to the already vulnerable children and adults with cancer, children with kidney failure, and many others with medical conditions that can only be treated at Augusta Victoria Hospital.

The income required to sustain humanitarian services provided by the AVH will be severely threatened, should the PA be unable to honor its contract, due to the financial embargo imposed on the Authority.

Our humanitarian service contract with the PA is worth USD 200,000 per month.  Without this prompt monthly payment from the PA we will not be able to sustain our present services.

We appeal to all our partners and donors to help by:

1. Sending emergency funding for AVH to the Lutheran World Federation (see account information below).
2. Contacting government officials to request assistance in providing funding for these humanitarian services.
3. Contacting non-governmental organizations and churches to request their assistance.

We appeal to all of our partners at this critical moment. The services provided by AVH are life-saving and uniquely available through AVH to many children and adults.  As a non-political entity, we care first and foremost for our patients’ welfare.

We appeal to you to stand with us and our patients during this difficult time and help us assure the continued access of needy patients to the services provided by the AVH.

Please feel free to email us for more information at:

Rev. Mark Brown, LWF Regional Representative

mark@lwfjerusalem.org

Dr. Tawfiq Nasser, AVH CEO

tnasser@avh.org

Making a Donation:

Specify that the donation is for “Emergency Funding for AVH Jerusalem”, then

·         Make a payment via bank transfer, or Internet banking, to:

UBS SA

Rue Des Noirettes 35

CP 2600

CH 1211 Geneva 2

SWIFT UBSWCHZH12A

IBAN  CH13 0024.0240. 3270 7061W

a/c no  327 070.61W

Account holder:  LUTHERAN WORLD FEDERATION  

·         Or send a check payable to:

The Lutheran World Federation
Director for Finance and Administration
P.O. Box 2100
CH-1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland
 

LWF Jerusalem News Page          LWF Jerusalem Homepage