Olivia Poust

Organizational Information: CNEWA is an agency of the Holy See dedicated to serving the peoples and churches of the Middle East, Northeast Africa, India and Eastern Europe. Since 1926, we have worked to protect the vulnerable, strengthen communities and promote unity and peace. Our mission is grounded in the conviction that we are all believers in one God, citizens of one world, members of one human family and part of one church of Christ. Although we are a Catholic organization, CNEWA serves all peoples regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Our criterion is need, not creed. We are a small agency with a record of big results. We rescued refugees from the Ottoman Empire and founded hospitals and schools in Palestine. We rushed food to famine victims in Ethiopia and rebuilt villages destroyed by the Lebanese Civil War and sheltered displaced families during the Persian Gulf War. Today, we pursue our mission through four main programs: (1) Caring for Children. Where we work, children suffer from poverty, malnutrition and disease. We tackle these problems by supporting schools and children’s homes that provide education, medical care and nutritious meals to over 35,000 children. (2) Building Social Infrastructure. Communities remain poor when they cannot sustain institutions that lift people out of poverty. We build hospitals, schools, libraries and universities. We support health clinics, vocational training, agricultural cooperatives and micro-lending programs. (3) Strengthening Families. Communities require more than schools and hospitals. They need opportunities for families to have fun. We create and support playgrounds, parks, summer camps and community centers. (4) Rushing Emergency Relief. We aid victims of war and natural disaster. In recent years, we have rushed basic necessities to refugees and internally displaced persons in Gaza and Iraq and to families who lost their homes to a major tsunami in India.