Tag: Peace and Reconciliation

LETTER FROM CEDAR | JAN 2025

Dear CEDAR friends and supporters, The UN Humanitarian Affairs Office (OCHA) reported in November that ‘2024 is the deadliest year ever for humanitarian workers’, with 281 killed globally. Relief work is getting more and more dangerous. At the same time, the violence against aid workers also reflects the fact that more civilians are being killed in conflict zones. Indeed, according to the United Nations, civilian deaths in armed conflicts surged by a shocking 72% in 2023. Four in ten civilians killed in conflicts are women, and three in ten are children. Conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls rose by 50% in 2023, an appalling increase. The Institute for Economics & Peace reports that we are living in

‘SHARE’ 255 – Walking with the Afflicted: Seeing Hope in Weariness

Written by Ken Wong (Communications Officer) In a turbulent world, news of wars and disasters always surrounds us. In Afghanistan, Lebanon, Ukraine, and Myanmar, the war has devastated countless families, as if there is no end in sight. Although we are not directly affected in Hong Kong, we may still feel powerless and exhausted from the perspective of supporters, donors and bystanders—tiredness that comes from the depths of our hearts and is difficult to resolve. This weariness comes not only from our inability to quickly resolve the problems of war and the problems it brings but also from ‘information fatigue’ and ‘compassion fatigue’. Every day, our screens are filled with tragic news, but there is little glimmer of

United in Christ to Restore Hope

Written by Winnie Fung (Chief Executive) ‘See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’ (Isaiah 43:19) The theme of the 20th Integral Alliance (IA) meeting this year is the ability to see God ‘doing a new thing’. It’s a challenging call, as it is easy to see darkness and despair in our world these days rather than hope and ‘new things’. But as Christians, we follow in His footsteps to care about the poverty and suffering in this world, and it is imperative that we practice the spiritual discipline of seeing God ‘doing a new thing’ and

Break Down Interpersonal Barriers through ‘Play’

Written by: Clara Chiu (Head of Partnership Development) I recently watched an anime show, ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Hashira Training Arc’. The family of Tanjiro, the anime’s main protagonist, was attacked by a demon, and only he and his sister survived, but his sister became a demon. To find a cure for his sister and avenge those he’d lost, Tanjiro joined the Demon Slayer Corps. Young comrades were trained to fight the demons. In one episode, their superior, Muichiro, was teaching them swordsmanship. Muichiro was often expressionless and trained them rigorously. His personality and training style made the trainees fearful, frightened and tired. Tanjiro knew that although Muichiro was strict, he was worried about the trainees

Building Local Capacities for Peace in Manipur

Project Name Building Local Capacities for Peace in Manipur Project Location India Project Natures Peace and Reconciliation Project Objectives Establish community capital in Manipur to promote peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups in the region and mitigate the impact of harmful conflicts. Beneficiaries Leaders from various sectors (including churches, civil society organisations, women’s and youth groups), and children. No. of Beneficiaries Approx. 1,100 Key Activities Organise peace workshops for youth groups, women, church leaders, and leaders of civil society organisations in five regions, enabling them to learn how to heal historical wounds. Organise inter-ethnic football matches for youth groups, church leaders, and leaders of civil society organisations to learn cooperation with other ethnic groups through sports activities. Provide

Rural Development Project in Mon State, Myanmar

Project Name Rural Development Project in Mon State, Myanmar Project Location Myanmar Project Natures Urban and Rural Development Peace and Reconciliation Humanitarian Relief and Disaster Risk Reduction Project Objectives Promote the integral development of children and youth, focusing on their physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being in target communities. Bring hope to the community, particularly to the younger generation during times of conflict. Beneficiaries Community members including children and teachers, field leaders, youths No. of Beneficiaries 831 Key Activities Children’s Education: 150 students receiving education allowances for stationery and books, and covering the salaries of 3 teachers. Youth Development: integral development training, living allowances for youths, and leadership training. Health: health workshops, medical support, and counselling workshops. Income

Rural Development Project in Karen State, Myanmar

Project Name Rural Development Project in Karen State, Myanmar Project Location Myanmar Project Natures Urban and Rural Development Peace and Reconciliation Humanitarian Relief and Disaster Risk Reduction Project Objectives Improve the living standards of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the target areas through house repairs, community farms, income-generating activities (IGA), and animal husbandry training. Secure learning opportunities for the children and youth from poor families by providing education sponsorship and skill training. Beneficiaries Community members including children and teachers, field leaders, youths No. of Beneficiaries 1,276 Key Activities House Repairing: 8 IDP houses refurbished Economic Development: IGA for women; vocational training for youth Farming and Husbandry: Sustainable farming training; provision of seeds; livestock given to 10 IDP families

Rural Development Project in Kachin State, Myanmar

Project Name Rural Development Project in Kachin State, Myanmar Project Location Myanmar Project Natures Urban and Rural Development Peace and Reconciliation Project Objectives Promote holistic development in the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) communities in Kachin State. Improve community resilience in protracted conflicts and disaster areas. Beneficiaries Community members including IDPs, women, children and youth, and church leaders No. of Beneficiaries 2,345 Key Activities Local leader training: includes church leader training, field leader training, and exposure trips. Children and youth development: youth counselling and training. Children’s education: educational support for 270 students and teacher salaries. Health support and education: public health education and free medicine for poor families. Livelihood: women’s income-generating activities (IGA) such as sewing, weaving, and traditional