(June 21, 2016) “Italy’s most important region, which has long been dedicating to raising public awareness towards the crisis of persecuted Christians in different parts of the world, could not ignore its role to also give practical help and a substantial economic contribution such as the one just allocated. ” according to Councillor for Culture, Identity and Autonomy of Lombardy, Cristina Cappellini. Three thousand families have been supported through food distribution and medical supplies, electricity delivered to 1,000 homes, and 300 repaired homes. These are the results expected from the “Emergency Aleppo -Help and support the Christian population affected by the conflict in the city of Aleppo-Syria” project to which the Regional Government of Lombardy, upon the suggestion of President Roberto Maroni, has allocated a co-funding of €300,000. The funded project was presented by the “Pro Terra Sancta” and fits between international cooperation objectives, including initiatives developed in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), that characterise the region’s international strategy. The “Pro Terra Sancta” association whose headquarters are in Jerusalem, Rome and Milan is recognised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a suitable organisation for the implementation of development cooperation programmes. It has supported the Franciscans in the Middle East for over 10 years offering them protection of local cultural heritage, education and vocational training through the implementation of specific projects in collaboration with public and private institutional supporters and through promotional activities, fund-raising, reporting and evaluation. Cappellini continues, “Lombardy and particularly President Maroni, with the approval of this resolution has once again shown a great sensitivity towards the tragic condition of the Christian communities in Syria and particularly in the city of Aleppo.” (PO / red)
