MoU Signed with Office for Pastoral Care of Persons with Disabilities – Bkerke

In the presence and with the blessing of His Beatitude Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, Caritas Lebanon signed a memorandum of understanding with the Office for the Pastoral Care of Persons with Disabilities (POPD) at the Maronite Patriarchal Curia – Bkerke. The aim of the agreement is to establish a relationship of mutual benefit.

This step is part of Caritas Lebanon’s ongoing efforts to expand its institutional and ecclesiastical partnerships, strengthen its role in promoting social justice, and provide comprehensive support to every person in need.

After approving the terms of the memorandum, the document was signed by:

  • Father Michel Abboud, President of Caritas Lebanon
  • Media personality Dalia Freifer, Coordinator of the POPD
  • Father Milad Saqiim, Supervisor and Spiritual Advisor of the Office at Bkerke
  • Liliane El-Kazzi, Lawyer and Expert in International Public Law

Also present at the signing ceremony from the Caritas family were:

  • Executive Director Mr. Gilbert Zouein
  • Dolla Hakim representing the Board of Directors
  • Lawyer Christine Azouri
  • Dolly Trabeyeh, Social Services Coordinator
  • Maguy Makhlouf, Head of the Media Unit
  • Michel Hayek, Head of Social Media

In addition, members of the POPD administrative board attended the event.

Before the signing, Father Abboud briefed His Beatitude on this collaboration, which is deeply aligned with the mission of Caritas. He explained that Caritas programs that assist in securing the needs of persons with disabilities will now include names submitted by the POPD. Caritas will also support awareness programs in dioceses and parishes.

Ms. Freifer expressed her joy at this collaboration with Caritas, an organization renowned for its humanitarian work and extensive services. She spoke about working together to provide Caritas with data on persons with disabilities through training sessions and awareness campaigns in parishes and dioceses. These campaigns aim to educate priests and families on how to support their children with disabilities and help integrate them as productive members of society.

The memorandum emphasized the importance of building a strong cooperative relationship between both parties, based on mutual respect and joint action, with the goal of achieving meaningful humanitarian and social impact. Each party commits to offering services and assistance within their respective capacities and areas of expertise.

Key provisions of the agreement include:

  • Establishing a hotline at the POPD center to receive requests from persons with disabilities and provide advisory services in full coordination with Caritas Lebanon.
  • Providing medical devices and essential supplies to facilitate, empower, and assist persons with disabilities.