Lessons from Bangladesh Garment Factory Collapse

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Remember the incident of factory collapse in Bangladesh]

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Bangladesh must strengthen its urban search and rescue capacity, said experts, following the collapse of an eight-story factory building outside Dhaka which has caused over 400 dead. There is a criticism of the authorities’ overall handling of the operation, and the Bangladeshi government’s rejection of international search and rescue offers. More than 2,000 volunteers and local rescue teams rushed to the scene to assist. However, they soon found themselves overwhelmed and ill-equipped. There were no scanners, sniffer dog or even no protective gear (gloves and helmets) for volunteers. Besides, the overall coordination of the operation was criticised. Densely populated Dhaka is indeed at high risk of an earthquake. The incident has revealed the fact that the country is not prepared for a major earthquake. [IRIN]

Remember the incident of factory collapse in Bangladesh:

  • Pray for the victims and their families. May God’s comfort and healing be with them;
  • Pray that the government officials can learn from the lessons and make effective measures to prevent the similar tragedies and respond to the possible disasters in the future.

Farmers’ Cooperative Mobilises Community Development in Gansu

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the community development in Gansu]

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The Farmers’ cooperative was established last year and started to organise community activities. Some weeks ago, the cooperative coordinated the purchase of the fertilisers for project sites and the neighbouring communities. As a result, not only the farmers can purchase the fertilisers in a cheaper price, the cooperative can also save some money for development fund. Though there were some problems in the process of coordination, the representatives can solve them timely and wisely. Give thanks that the women group has stable production and order for handicrafts. Women could earn a living by producing the Fair Trade handicrafts.

Pray for the community development in Gansu:

  • The cooperative is improving the existing regulations and trying to apply the government loan for development programmes. Pray for the future of the cooperative and pray that it acts as a catalyst which will bring forth the community transformation;
  • Pray that the production skill of the women handicraft group will be further improved and more stable orders and markets will be explored.

Donate Now! Click here.

Other Methods of Payment

  1. Cheque payable to ‘CEDAR FUND’
  2. Deposit to HSBC A/C No. 600-385678-001, enclosing with the Pay-in slip
  3. Autopay (only applicable to regular fixed donations), enclosing with a completed Autopay Authorisation Form (Download: WORD or PDF)
  4. Visa/ Master Card

Download Donation Form

Please send a completed Donation Form, enclosing with cheque or pay-in slip, to CEDAR FUND, G.P.O. BOX 3212, HONG KONG.

Donation Form: WORD or PDF

[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.

Remember the New Slum Project in India

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for new project]

POVERTY IN ASIA

Partner EFICOR has just started an initiative project in slum in Delhi. There are at least 900 households in which 80% of its populations are Muslims and 20% are Hindus. It aims to adopt a combination of direct service, technical support, advocacy & networking to facilitate community development within three-year project cycle. It will specially focus on right-based gender issues and children-at-risk, and will partner with Child Evangelism Fellowship to provide value education.

Pray for new project:

  • Pray for His guidance to this initiative project. Hindus and Muslims have many conflicts, in general. Pray that EFICOR can be peace-makers to bring shalom to the community;
  • The sexual violence in Delhi is still intense. May Lord use this project to empower women & men to safeguard their family members.

 

Donate Now! Click here.

Other Methods of Payment

  1. Cheque payable to ‘CEDAR FUND’
  2. Deposit to HSBC A/C No. 600-385678-001, enclosing with the Pay-in slip
  3. Autopay (only applicable to regular fixed donations), enclosing with a completed Autopay Authorisation Form (Download: WORD or PDF)
  4. Visa/ Master Card

Download Donation Form

Please send a completed Donation Form, enclosing with cheque or pay-in slip, to CEDAR FUND, G.P.O. BOX 3212, HONG KONG.

Donation Form: WORD or PDF

[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.

Security Concerns Rise at Syrian Refugee Camp

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the refugees camps in Jordan]

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The conflict between for and anti-Syrian Ba’ath Party government is still ongoing after its break out in March 2011. Till February 2013, the Syrian conflict has caused 70,000 deaths, about 1.2 million displaced in Syria and as many as 1 million Syrian refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries such as Jordan.

Za’atari camp is one of the camps for the Syrian refugees in Jordan. It was originally built to accommodate around 60,000 Syrian refugees yet it is now hosting at least 140,000. As the numbers in Za’atari have swelled, safety and security have degenerated. Aid workers have frequently faced attack during aid distributions. Tents, mattresses, gas and other products are smuggled in and out through a thriving black market, which often charges refugees exploitative prices for essential goods. The Jordanian government is implementing measures to improve security for the camp, but aid workers say the efforts are limited by funding constraints and have yet to make a difference. [Guardian, CNN, Reuters]

Pray for the refugees camps in Jordan:

  • Pray for God’s protection and provision to Syrian refugees in Jordan;
  • Pray for the safety of aid workers, journalists and citizens there;
  • Pray that people with experience and proper training can support the fundraising, aid distribution and management of refugee camp sites.

Access to Sanitation Still a Luxury for Nigerians

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the health and sanitation condition in Niger]

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Open air defecation is a widespread hazard in Niger, especially in rural areas. Out of 15.5 million Nigerians, 14.1 million do not currently have access to proper toilets, while 79 percent resort to open air defecation. Contagious diseases are caused by a lack of sanitation and hygiene. Because money is needed to construct toilet and there is difficulty of maintaining the deep pit required for latrine, people living in rural Niger do not use toilet frequently   Aid agency attributes this to the government’s failure to honour previous financial commitments in the sanitation sector. [IPS]

Pray for the health and sanitation condition in Niger:

  • Pray for the improvement of health and sanitation in Niger as well as the awareness of Nigerians on health and hygiene;
  • Pray that the Nigerian government will achieve its target to increase the number of people with access to sanitation from six percent in 2009 to 25 percent per year by 2015.

Pray for the Safety of CEDAR’s Staff in Bangladesh

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the current situation in Bangladesh]

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CEDAR’s programme staff is currently at a project monitoring trip in Bangladesh. There are changes in schedule and change of site visits but we thankful that he is safe and still able to meet partners and projects. Opposition party Jamaat-e-Islami is holding demonstrations demanding the immediate release of its leaders facing war crimes charges. Schools and businesses were close and motorways and railways across the country were barricaded. This week Bangladesh’s Prime Minister has rejected demands by Islamists for an anti-blasphemy law to punish those who defame Islam and Prophet Mohammed.

Pray for the current situation in Bangladesh

  • Pray for safety, protection and good learning and networking time with local partners by CEDAR project staff in Bangladesh;
  • Pray that peace can be restored and there can be reconciliation between the government and opposing parties. Pray that violence and instability in the country will subside.