June 2006

In an effort to address the current humanitarian crisis in Timor-Leste, the FPCD, in her “sister foundation” capacity is raising funds so that FPCD Executive Director, Claudia Abate, may present a donation during her visit to that country. The Executive Director has been contacting friends of the Foundation to assist in this effort and has affirmed that 100% of all funds raised prior to her departure will be given directly to those in need. Friends of the Foundation are invited back to the Foundation website to see photos and news of the Executive Director’s visit. Click here for further information about Fondacão Xanana Gusmão.
(See the Executive Director’s letter below.)

Dear Friend,I would like to inform you that in my capacity as Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Post Conflict Development (FPCD) I will be traveling to Timor-Leste in August to assess their post crisis situation. Due to the recent civil strife in the country, a massive humanitarian emergency has arisen, creating internal refugees living in tents in the capital city of Dili.Further to my above mentioned capacity, I am also the Project Coordinator for the Monaco Red Cross's Maternity Clinic in Same District, Timor-Leste, which thankfully, has not been harmed during the recent violent uprisings. I will be visiting the Clinic to check on the status of construction in preparation for the opening later this year.In Timor-Leste, I will be meeting with various members of civil society, the Ministry of Health and most importantly meeting with President Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister Jose Ramos Horta and new Foreign Minister, Jose Luis Guterres.President Gusmão has invited the FPCD to be affiliated as "sister foundation" to his - Fundacao Xanana Gusmão - a copy of our signed Memorandum of Understanding is available on the FPCD website www.postconflictdev.org We have a lot of work to do together, which I welcome. During our meetings in Lisbon, Portugal earlier this year, President Gusmão told me that on Saturday mornings, funds permitting, he takes off his hat as Head of State and puts on his Foundation hat and welcomes people from all over the country to his office. He listens to the concerns of the people and gives money for schools, microcredit, agriculture, food, supplies, or any other vital necessity. The country's population lives on less than 1 American dollar a day. When I visit Timor, the FPCD will be making a donation to our sister foundation and we have called upon all our friends and associates to help make this donation as generous as possible.To support the effort of our sister foundation, I am at this time asking for contributions for the benefit a larger joint purpose in which our foundations are involved. It has been an uphill journey full of challenges but the FPCD has come a long way, now being fully recognized by as a not-for-profit and public charity (501 c 3) since April 2005. Although the FPCD does need funding for administration and logistics, at this point we are guaranteeing that 100% of any funds raised prior to my departure to Timor-Leste, will be given through the Fondacão Xanana Gusmão to those who need it most and who are suffering at this very moment in East Timor.The FPCD website will be fully refurbished before my departure (19 August) and will use state of the art internet blog technology and news updates. Your tax-deductible donation can be done privately, on-line through the FPCD website or through a check made out to and sent by post to:The Foundation for Post Conflict Development.1 River Place, Suite 2714New York, NY 10036Should you be unable to give us financial support at this time, the FPCD would be grateful if you could forward this message to friends of Timor-Leste. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require additional information.

Respectfully yours,
Claudia Abate
Founder and Executive Director
cabate@postconflictdev.org