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    Let There Be Sight Yemen Proposal 2022

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    freeman_bruce6274
    A proposal for funding by the Episcopal Church in the United States of an Opthalmologist Medical Director for the Ras Morbat Eye Clinic in Aden, Yemen

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Let There Be Sight Yemen Proposal 2022

    Uploaded by

    freeman_bruce6274
    64 views9 pages
    A proposal for funding by the Episcopal Church in the United States of an Opthalmologist Medical Director for the Ras Morbat Eye Clinic in Aden, Yemen

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    A proposal for funding by the Episcopal Church in the United States of an Opthalmologist Medical Director for the Ras Morbat Eye Clinic in Aden, Yemen

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    64 views9 pages

    Let There Be Sight Yemen Proposal 2022

    Uploaded by

    freeman_bruce6274
    A proposal for funding by the Episcopal Church in the United States of an Opthalmologist Medical Director for the Ras Morbat Eye Clinic in Aden, Yemen

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 9

    Let There Be Sight!

    Yemen Prelude

    o Civil War in Yemen is deep into it’s seventh year


    o “Infinitely more destructive by the entry of third [party] states”
    (JJFAIR) such as the United States, Saudi Arabia, United Arab
    Emirates, Iran, etc.
    o Consistently referred to as the “world’s worst humanitarian
    catastrophe”
    o 10,000 children killed or maimed (4 children per day) (news.un.org)
    o A child in Yemen under 5 years old dies once every 10 minutes in
    Yemen due to preventable causes (UN)
    o Nearly 350,000 children under age 5 in Yemen are suffering
    from severe acute malnutrition (SAM), which is life-threatening. At
    least a quarter of a million pregnant or breast-feeding women are
    also in need of treatment for malnutrition. (UNICEFUSA)
    o 11 million children need humanitarian assistance (UNICEF)
    o Cholera and other diseases are rampant because of the lack of clean
    drinking water
    o Blindness is an affliction that affects approximately 76,000 Yemenis,
    with curable cataracts being the primary cause of blindness (2012)
    (ISBN 9789004221505).

    Five (5) Yemen Action Items Recommended for


    Consideration
    o Continue expressing an urgent need for a politically
    negotiated solution to end the Yemen Civil War
    o Call for the repeal of the U.S. Authorization to Use
    Military Force (AUMF) 2002 and to call for the sunset
    of the AUMF of 2001 
    o Request the Office of Government Relations to provide
    regular news briefs and Action Alerts relative to
    Yemen’s plight and progress by TEC in ending the
    suffering of Yemen’s civilian population
    o Request the Office of Government Relations to assist
    in the designation of key Congressional members for
    the purpose of advocacy for the benefit of all the
    people of Yemen
    o Repeat the call to urge that all parties allow the
    unobstructed access of shipments via Yemeni ports of
    fuel and other essentials for life from arms sales to all
    parties in the conflict, and specifically to avoid
    supplying munitions, military equipment or technology
    that could be used in the conflict, as well as logistical
    and financial support for such transfers

    Yemen Proposal Overview


    The following is the proposal for a specific action to be included in the TEC
    General Convention (GC) Resolution on Yemen __________ to be put forward.
    This is a follow-up to the 2018 Resolution B013* on the crisis in Yemen which was
    approved by both GC houses. This latest resolution has its origins in a dialogue
    with Rt. Rev. James Magness (author of the 2018 Resolution), Bruce Freeman and
    other members of the Trinity Cathedral Episcopal Peace Fellowship Chapter.
    There followed conversations and meetings with principals in the Anglican
    Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf and The Episcopal Church.

    It was apparent in our conversations that this initiative would be important for
    Aden and other communities in Yemen that have been, or could be, served. The
    likelihood that the doctor chosen would be a Christian, as noted below is
    important as Christian professionals have been very well received in Aden
    recently. Correcting blindness caused by cataracts is an important component of
    this initiative.

    There were two grants from the Episcopal Relief and Development agency. One
    (2019) $10,000 as part contribution to the purchase of equipment to enable Ras
    Morbat staff to perform phacoemulsion surgery for cataracts. A second grant in
    2020 for $5000 provided supplies of personal protective equipment (PPE) during
    the Covid crisis, not only for clinic staff but also for sharing among the public and
    two other medical clinics nearby.

    “Cataract[s] w[ere] found to be the main cause of uniocular (21.3 percent)


    and  binocular blindness (46.3 percent)  in Yemen which is a developing country
    that need[s] to expand further medical and surgical facilities especially in rural
    areas; this is similar to that found in other studies in developing countries.”
    (National Center for Biotechnology Information-NCBI)

    “In 2012, it was estimated that there were around 76,000 blind Yemenis, most of
    them living in rural areas” (ISBN 9789004221505).

    “…blindness from cataracts can be completely reversed. By having your


    cataracts removed during cataract surgery you can regain clear vision.”
    (www.bergfeinfield.com)

    * Call for Governmental Response and Humanitarian Relief to the Crisis in Yemen
    The Ras Morbat Clinic in Aden serves exclusively those who are unable to pay for
    their services. It is currently funded entirely by the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf
    through donations from parishes in the Diocese, and Christians in UK mainly, but
    other countries as well. The Ras Morbat Eye Clinic now has an online Donation
    capability.

    Detailed Statement of Need


    The text below was crafted by The Venerable Dr. Bill Schwartz, OBE in concert with Rt. Rev. Jay Magness
    (ret.) and Bruce Freeman of the Episcopal Peace Fellowship based on conversations we held on January
    26, 2022

    “In the past, the Christ Church compound in Aden housed not only the clergy
    couple for the parish work but also a (British at the time) Medical Director for the
    Ras Morbat Clinic which operates out of the compound. This Medical Director
    interfaced with the Ministry of Health, the medical college of the university,
    UNHCR, and other NGO’s. The very fact of his presence elevated the reputation of
    the clinic in the community; to have a foreign doctor on the staff in a medical
    system which has very limited international interface gave the clinic some
    additional prestige. Underneath all of this is the additional message that these
    doctors came to Yemen as Christians to help the poor in the society.

    Later, without a resident medical director, there were various other Christian
    doctors who visited for special teaching clinics at Ras Morbat for medical
    students, and outreach clinics to village outside Aden city. (Mocha and Socotra in
    particular.) These visiting doctors have been citizens of Korea, Cuba, UK and
    Egypt. All have been overwhelmingly welcomed and appreciated by the medical
    community in the Aden area.

    Since the beginning of the civil war, we have only had one short visit of training
    doctors from Egypt. Again, they were very welcome and made a big impact on the
    staff and patients of the Ras Morbat Clinic, as well as renewing ties on behalf of
    the clinic with the Ministry of Health, the local NGOs and the broader medical
    community of Aden. The fact that they visited in a time when very few others
    were entering the country spoke very strongly of the commitment of Christian
    compassion to the people of Yemen.

    We all believe it is appropriate now, with increasing civil security in Aden city, to
    consider placing a resident Christian doctor as Medical Director of the Ras Morbat
    Clinic. The Muslims who work at the clinic would welcome this professional
    contribution to the work, and they welcome the humanitarian/religious
    statement that would be made. It is clear from conversations with civil society in
    Aden that the re-establishment of Christian presence for both the church and the
    clinic would be very welcome indeed.
    Proposed Initiative in Yemen

    Goals to be Met

    o “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may
    see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Mathew
    5:16
    o Expand the services of the Ras Morbat Eye Clinic within Aden and Yemen
    o Employ a full-time Medical Director Ophthalmologist at the Ras Morbat Eye
    Clinic
    o Continue to develop a close community partnership with the Muslim
    community in Aden

    Proposal Details

    The following is a proposal for a specific action to be included in the TEC General
    Convention Resolution on Yemen to be put forward. It was apparent in our
    conversations that this initiative would be important for Aden and other
    communities in Yemen that have been, or could be, served. The likelihood that
    the doctor chosen would be a Christian, as noted below is important as Christian
    professionals have been very well received in Aden recently. Correcting blindness
    caused by cataracts is an important component of this initiative.

    As noted above, the Episcopal Relief and Development agency in the past has
    contributed COVID relief face masks and made a financial contribution to the Ras
    Morbat Eye Clinic for eye surgery equipment.

    “Cataract[s] w[ere] found to be the main cause of uniocular (21.3 percent)


    and  binocular blindness (46.3 percent)  in Yemen which is a developing country
    that need[s] to expand further medical and surgical facilities especially in rural
    area; this is similar to that found in other studies in developing countries.”
    (National Center for Biotechnology Information-NCBI).

    “In 2012, it was estimated that there were around 76,000 blind Yemenis, most of
    them living in rural areas” (ISBN 9789004221505).
    “…blindness from cataracts can be completely reversed. By having your cataracts
    removed during cataract surgery you can regain clear vision.”
    (www.bergfeinfield.com)

    The Ras Morbat Clinic in Aden serves exclusively those who are unable to pay for
    their services. The facility is funded entirely by the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf
    through donations from parishes in the diocese, and Christians principally in the
    UK, but in other countries as well.

    Funding Requested

    Necessary salary funds for a three-year commitment would be $30,300 pa (per


    annum). Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf to provide lodging and other
    miscellaneous support needs for the new ophthalmologist.

    Management of these funds will be with the Episcopal Domestic and Foreign
    Missionary Society (DFMS) and the Finance Officer of the Anglican Diocese of
    Cyprus and the Gulf

    Ras Morbat Eye Clinic-Aden (photo by Mansour Khan)


    Photo from “Medium” article “Yemen in Crisis” by Caaquil Salad

    Additional Resources

    Yemen Was Called the Forgotten War, but Activists Are Refusing to Forget' - FAIR

    Yemen crisis in danger of fading from international attention, Archdeacon warns


    (churchtimes.co.uk)

    Yemen: The children haunted by 'ghosts' of war - BBC News

    Yemen Water Project - Yemen | ReliefWeb

    https://english.alaraby.co.uk/features/how-yemens-water-crisis-has-reached-
    new-depths-despair

    https://www.unicef.org/yemen/water-sanitation-and-hygiene

    With fuel scarce, Yemen’s forests are next casualty of war | Gallery News | Al
    Jazeera

    Costly and critical: The battle for a key Yemeni city | AP News

    Crisis in Marib: Averting a Chain Reaction in Yemen | Crisis Group


    Education Disrupted: Impact of the conflict on children’s education in Yemen -
    Yemen | ReliefWeb

    Economic profiteering fueling war in Yemen: UN | Houthis News | Al Jazeera

    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57468597

    https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-57447744

    Yemen: An unviable and unlivable state | Conflict | Al Jazeera

    How Yemen's War Economy Undermines Peace Efforts | International Crisis


    Group

    Brokering a Ceasefire in Yemen’s Economic Conflict | Crisis Group

    Misunderstanding Yemen | Crisis Group

    Failure of diplomacy in Yemen (churchtimes.co.uk)

    Yemen: Bishop Hinder denounces indifference to catastrophic scenario - Vatican


    News

    Deconstructing the Saudi narrative on the war in Yemen – Responsible Statecraft

    Yemen: ‘Political will, responsible leadership' needed, to end 7-year war | | UN


    News

    https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/10/1103432

    Yemen Accountability Project | School of Law | Case Western Reserve University

    Senate backs Biden admin weapons sale to Saudi Arabia - POLITICO

    PBS NewsHour | Following Yemeni soldiers' battle against Iran-allied rebels | Season 2021 | PBS

    'Double tap' attacks in Yemen's civil war - BBC News

    Official: Don’t let Yemen be forgotten - Times-News (newsmemory.com)


    (1480) FULL FILM: Warton's war on Yemen - YouTube

    Ras Morbat Eye Clinic – Improving the eyesight of the people of Yemen since 1996
    (rasmorbatclinic.org)

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