BALTIMORE, July 19 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Lutheran World Relief has received a grant from the Australian Government Aid Program in support of an innovative peace-building program in Mindanao, the Philippines.
For many years, conflict has undermined the lives of the people of the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The indigenous people, known as Lumads, and the poor Muslims of the region are most affected and are often forced to leave their homes and livelihoods because of the ongoing conflict between rebel groups and the government. Other inter-ethnic conflicts often arise in the area due to limited access to land and natural resources, political inequalities, human rights violations by those in power, and poor governance.
The ARMM is the poorest region in the Philippines, with as much as 75 percent of the population living on less than 60 cents a day. Only 36 percent of children complete primary school, a huge concern since a key tactic of rebel groups is to recruit young people who are not in school.
Working with local community-based "People's Organizations," LWR will strive to create a more peaceful and sustainable community by enhancing and promoting community-based peace-building initiatives and strengthening the local organizations' capacities to implement community-based reconciliation programs in Mindanao. The grant of approximately $226,000 will fund the program for a full year.
"This is a comprehensive approach to community peace-building," said Joanne Fairley, LWR's regional director for Asia and the Middle East. "We'll be holding workshops on conflict resolution; hosting inter-faith dialogues; conducting public information campaigns, and establishing 'peace zones,' a dedicated neutral ground for negotiation and dialogue. We've seen before in our work that establishing these peace zones can help transform suspicion and jealousy into shared inspiration for continued community development."
WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world's most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945.
Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.
