DSPR

Department of Service to Palestine Refugees

“Improving the lives of Palestinian Refugees across the Middle East”

Contact details:

DSPR Central Office Nablus Road 31

POBox 19195, E.Jerusalem Tel:+97226271715 +97226283878

Fax: +97226271716E-mail : dspr@netvision.net.il

DSPR/Near East Council of Churches Committee

for Refugee Works (NECCCRW) - GazaTel: +970 (0) 2860146 Email: necc@neccgaza.org

DSPR/Near East Council of Churches Committee

for Refugee Works (NECCCRW) - Jordan Tel: +96264642530 E-mail: dsprjo@yahoo.com

DSPR/Joint Christian Committee for Social Service in Lebanon (JCC) - Lebanon

Tel/Fax: +9611741735 Email: jcc@cyberia.net.lb

DSPR/ Near East Council of Churches Committee for Refugee Works (NECCCRW) - Jerusalem and West Bank

Tel:+97226288857/8 E-mail: lccjer@netvision.net.il

DSPR/International Christian Committee (ICCI) – Nazareth Tel: +97246575910 E-mail: icci@zahav.net.il

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Gaza’s psychosocial support programme provides recreational activities that let children be children even in a context of violence and humanitarian crisis.

DSPR believes that the right of return is a basic human right of Palestinian refugees. They should be part of the decision-making process to resolve their refugee status in line with international UN Resolutions. Until the refugees are able to exercise this right; DSPR in partnership with Churches and Church Related Organizations in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, will continue to serve where it is needed.

The dignity of Palestinian refugees in their host societies is essential for the eventual exercise of their right of return and self-determination.

In the West Bank, DSPR helps local farmers escape the poverty trap through livelihood programmes and enhanced

food production.

Maan Images/Wesam Saleh

DSPR Nazareth’s centre for girls who have dropped out of school offers vocational training and counseling, supporting the girls

to return to school or start their own businesses.

A member of

The Department of Service to Palestine Refugees (DSPR) is an autonomous department of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and serves as a regional umbrella for its member organizations in Gaza, Lebanon, Jordan, Nazareth, Jerusalem and the West Bank.

History and background:In 1949, following the dispersal of 726,000 Palestinian refugees as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, three Evangelical Anglican canons from the Diocese of Jerusalem, together with other religious and public figures, initiated activities and programs to support the refugees that eventually grew into the Department of Service to Palestine Refugees (DSPR). Later, in 1974, when the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) was formally established, DSPR became part of the Council maintaining autonomous status with administrative links to MECC. DSPR worked alongside the displaced people and refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan and Lebanon offering services and activities that responded to their emerging needs. In Galilee, as well, DSPR was set up to help deal with the consequences of dislocation and displacement within the territory that was once British-mandated Palestine.

DSPR today:Each geographic area of DSPR has its own board, known as the Area Committee, whose members are nominated by the four Church Families (Greek Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelical and Catholic). The Central Committee is the general board where all areas are represented in addition to four at large members each nominated by his/her Church Family.

As a regional, ecumenical and church-related organization working with and for Palestinian communities across the Middle East, DSPR has unique relevance as an indigenous Palestinian Arab Christian organization that seeks through its work to emphasize the integrity of indigenous Christians in their societies.

DSPR’s vision is of a pluralist Palestinian society which guarantees equal opportunities for all its citizens, based on the ideals of rights, opportunities and freedoms.

In the face of persistent political instability, ongoing conflict and economic challenges, Palestinian refugees and communities across the Middle East continue to live in uncertainty and despair.

DSPR’s objectives:With rising levels of poverty and unemployment among the Palestinian communities and refugees across the region, DSPR works to develop their socio-economic status and seeks just rights for all. This is done through the following activities:

Providing and maintaining primary healthcare services to enhance the wellbeing of Palestinian mothers and children.

Providing professional skills training and access to education to empower marginalized Palestinian youth to improve their own economic conditions.

Addressing and resolving pressing environmental threats facing rural Palestinian communities to support their better management and preservation of available natural resources.

Mobilizing and empowering Palestinian and other relevant communities to seek just and equal social and economic rights for Palestinians.

Providing humanitarian assistance to alleviate the impact of emergency situations when required.

Palestine refugees in Lebanon improve their socioeconomic conditions through DSPR’s vocational training

for work programmes.

Training in traditional carpet weaving at Souf Refugee Camp in Jordan enables Palestinians to earn an income

and support their families.The humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s blockade of Gaza

continues, but DSPR’s primary health care clinics treat thousands of women, men and children who would

otherwise go unattended.