Palestine Children's Relief Fund
Encyclopedia
The Palestine Children's Relief Fund (P.C.R.F.) 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."
The PCRF, along with the British Arts Council, co-produced the 2006 22-minute documentary Open Heart by Claire Fowler
about healthcare in the Palestinian areas. It has subsequently been shown at film festivals around the world.
, an independent evaluator of charities' fiscal management. It has received support and endorsements from Senator Paul Sarbanes, Congressman Albert Wynn
and actor/humanitarian Richard Gere
.
In October 2006, former U.S. president Jimmy Carter
issued a video endorsement of the organization.
In the 2004 NBC
film Homeland Security, a professor with suspected links to Al Qaeda remarks that the "P.C.R.F. is a front for Islamic Jihad
." Steve Sosebee, the charity's president and chief executive, responded to questions from the New York Times about how money donated to his organization was being spent by saying that he doesn't "have any politics or any political agenda, so [he] shouldn't have to feel guilty about anything."
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
established in 1991, by, according to its website, "concerned people in the U.S. to address the medical and humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian
Palestinian people
The Palestinian people, also referred to as Palestinians or Palestinian Arabs , are an Arabic-speaking people with origins in Palestine. Despite various wars and exoduses, roughly one third of the world's Palestinian population continues to reside in the area encompassing the West Bank, the Gaza...
youths in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far 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."
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.The PCRF, along with the British Arts Council, co-produced the 2006 22-minute documentary Open Heart by Claire Fowler
Claire Fowler (filmmaker)
- Background :Claire grew up in North Wales. She has studied at Oxford University, the Royal College of Art in London, and Columbia University in New York.- External links :* *...
about healthcare in the Palestinian areas. It has subsequently been shown at film festivals around the world.
Praise
As of September 2009 the PCRF has received the 4-stars* by Charity NavigatorCharity Navigator
Charity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. Its stated goal is "to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities."-About:...
, an independent evaluator of charities' fiscal management. It has received support and endorsements from Senator Paul Sarbanes, Congressman Albert Wynn
Albert Wynn
Albert Russell "Al" Wynn is a former Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives. He represented the 4th district of Maryland from 1993 to 2008...
and actor/humanitarian Richard Gere
Richard Gere
Richard Tiffany Gere is an American actor. He began acting in the 1970s, playing a supporting role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar, and a starring role in Days of Heaven. He came to prominence in 1980 for his role in the film American Gigolo, which established him as a leading man and a sex symbol...
.
In October 2006, former U.S. president Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
issued a video endorsement of the organization.
Criticism
The PCRF has been criticized in the past due to its financial affiliation with the Holy Land Foundation, which was shut down by the United States government because it was suspected of funneling donations to terrorist organizations. The PCRF's connection to the Foundation has since harmed its reputation. The Holy Land Foundation asked that the United States Treasury Department allow a transfer of $50,000 from its accounts to the PCRF.In the 2004 NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
film Homeland Security, a professor with suspected links to Al Qaeda remarks that the "P.C.R.F. is a front for Islamic Jihad
Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine
The Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine known in the West as simply Palestinian Islamic Jihad , is a small Palestinian militant organization. The group has been labelled as a terrorist group by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia and Israel...
." Steve Sosebee, the charity's president and chief executive, responded to questions from the New York Times about how money donated to his organization was being spent by saying that he doesn't "have any politics or any political agenda, so [he] shouldn't have to feel guilty about anything."