December 31, 2015, is the deadline by the Government of Canada to match contributions made toward assisting Syrian refugees. Because of the Christmas holidays we are recommending that your diocese / eparchy: 1) inform the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCOPD), Aid to the Church in Need Canada (ACN) and/or CNEWA Canada by Friday, December 18, of the amounts that have been collected, and 2) forward the contributions to the respective agency no later than Friday, January 15, 2016.
 
As you will recall, during the 2015 Plenary Assembly, the Conference announced that it was collaborating with CCODP, ACN and CNEWA Canada in a joint fundraising campaign for Syrian refugees. The three Canadian Catholic aid and development agencies are cooperating so as to respond as effectively as possible to the complex and overwhelming Syrian emergency. Donations can be made to any or all three of the organizations. Each will continue working with its respective partners in the Middle East, using its own unique approaches and networks. Each diocese / eparchy is free to decide how it will distribute the funds among the three national agencies.
 
For your information and possible circulation in your diocese / eparchy, I am attaching an update provided by CCODP on the continuing crisis of Syrian refugees. Also for your convenience, I am providing below the coordinates for CCODP, ACN and CNEWA Canada.

Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace

1425 René-Lévesque Blvd West, 3rd Floor Montréal, Québec Canada, H3G 1T7
Telephone: 514 257-8711 | Fax: 514 257-8497
Toll Free: 1 888 234-8533
E-Mail: [email protected] | Web: www.devp.org   

Aid to the Church in Need (Canada)

1857 de Maisonneuve West, Suite 400
Montréal, QC H3H 1J9
Telephone: 514-932-0552 (extension 223)
Toll free: 1-800-585-6333 (extension 223)

CNEWA Canada

1247 Kilborn Place
Ottawa, Ontario K1H 6K9
Telephone: (613) 738-9666
Fax: (613) 738-7666
Toll-free: 1-866-322-4441
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cnewacanada