Palestine Children's Relief Fund

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The Palestine Children's Relief Fund is a registered 501(c)3 non-governmental organization established in 1991, by, according to its website, "concerned people in the U.S. to address the medical and humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian youths in the Middle East... The main objective of the P.C.R.F. is to locate in the U.S. free medical care for children who cannot be adequately treated in the Middle East. The P.C.R.F. is the main organization regularly sending injured and sick Arab children to the U.S. and Europe for free care that is not available to them there. Since 1991 over 450 children have been or currently are being treated outside of the Middle East through the P.C.R.F."[1]

In June, 2006, PCRF president and founder, Steve Sosebee was featured on NBC Nightly News' "Making a Difference" series which focuses on individuals and organizations that are making a positive impact in the world. [1].

Contents

[edit] Humanitarian activities

The Palestine Children's Relief Fund sends medical equipment, supplies, and American medical personnel to the region to treat difficult cases and train Palestinian surgeons. Several injured or sick children are being treated in the U.S. for free. Palestine Children's Relief Fund relies on volunteers throughout the U.S. who act as host families and donors. The organization also helps suffering children from other Middle Eastern nations, based on medical need.

[edit] Praise

For the past three years, the PCRF has received the highest rating (4-stars) by Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities' fiscal management.[2] Its case work has received coverage by ABC Nightly News, CNN, VOA and NPR.[citation needed] It has received support and endorsements from Senator Paul Sarbanes,[3] Congressman Albert Wynn, actor/humanitarian Richard Gere,[4] physician/activist/clown Hunter "Patch" Adams[5] and former Holland Ambassador Paul Lagendijk, among others.

In October 2006, U.S. former President Jimmy Carter issued a video endorsement of the organization[2].

[edit] Criticism

The organization purports itself to be non-political.[1] According to NGO Monitor, a website maintained by the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs:

  • The PCRF is headed by Stephen ("Steve") Sosebee who speaks extensively at universities and other political "solidarity meetings" where he expounds on classic anti-Semitic and anti-Israel statements. During a lecture at the Zayed International Centre for Coordination and Follow-Up (ZCCF), Sosebee charged that a "Zionist lobby and Zionist influence" manipulated the U.S. government, its citizens and media.
  • The PCRF received assistance from Global Relief Foundation, and the International Islamic Relief Organization - all of which were closed down by the U.S. government for funding terrorist groups.[6]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b PCRF: Who We Are (Accessed April 13, 2006)
  2. ^ PCRF information at Charity Navigator
  3. ^ [http://www.pcrf.net/images/senate.jpg Commendation letter by Senator Paul Sarbanes dated May 23, 2003
  4. ^ Message from Richard Gere to the PCRF
  5. ^ Patch Adams: Clowning around in Gaza Report, PCRF - Washington, D.C. Area Chapter (Electronic Intifada) 1 July 2003
  6. ^ Politics or Altruism: An Analysis of Palestinian Children's NGO's (NGO Monitor Analysis (Vol. 2 No. 5) 15 January 2004)

[edit] External links

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