Following on the success of IBBY’s Tsunami Appeal and the IBBY-Yamada Fund that supports our current project programme, the Executive Committee decided to create a programme called the IBBY Fund for Children in Crisis.
The purpose of this fund is to provide support for children whose lives have been disrupted through war, civil disorder or natural disaster. The two main activities that will be supported by the Fund are the therapeutic use of books and storytelling in the form of bibliotherapy, and the creation or replacement of collections of selected books that are appropriate to the situation. We hope the programme will not only provide immediate support and help, but that it will also make a long term impact in the communities, thus supporting IBBY’s goal of giving every child the Right to Become a Reader.
Based on predetermined criteria IBBY will select the communities where the projects will be funded. The basic criteria will include:
- the existence of a short or long term situation of crisis in the lives of the children of the community;
- the availability of a strong, capable IBBY section either in the affected or a neighbouring country and/or the presence of a capable IBBY partner;
- the strength of the project and its possible short and long term impact in fulfilling IBBY’s goals;
- the availability of money.
Download the information brochure here (pdf 400KB)
Download the Spanish version of the information brochure here (pdf 1MB)
Our major projects are:
(click on headings for more information)
Japan Project 2011
The eastern coast of Japan has been devastated by the worst natural disaster ever to hit Japan and one of the five worst in the world since records began in 1900. The Tōhoku earthquake struck on 11 March 2011 70 kilometres (43 miles) east of the Oshika Peninsula of Tōhoku. IBBY will work with the 3.11 Ehon Project in Iwate to give the children of the area relief through books and reading. The project will take books, give readings and storytelling activities, as well as train more volunteers to work with the children.
Pakistan Project 2010
Pakistan has been hit by the worst floods in its 63 year history, in fact, the worst floods to hit this area since 1926. 20 million people have been affected; of those 9 million are children. 11,000 schools have been swept away or been rendered unusable. 6,000 schools are being used as relief camps. IBBY Pakistan – Alif Laila will work with NGOs/Government agencies working in all five provinces of the country to distribute library kits for the children.
Haiti Project 2010
After a devastating earthquake shook and destroyed the lives of thousands in Haiti, IBBY international immediately launched an appeal to collect funds for Haiti. IBBY Haiti started a new project. They identified the camps in which they could work and started working in some of the smaller ones. One of the printing presses that had not been damaged has been able to re-print some of the books needed for the bibliotherapy sessions. The team went into the camps to provide through bibliotherapy some relief for the children.
Chile Project 2010
The earthquake in Chile in early 2010 caused widespread individual and social damage. IBBY Chile and Corporación Lectura Viva [Reading Promotion Corporation] are collaborating in the Palabras que acompañan [Words to Keep you Company] programme to deliver books and reading sessions to help relieve trauma in children and young people who are facing the loss of their loved ones and their homes, who have been injured or who have been forced to move in with friends and family.
Download Final Report
Haiti Project 2009
The healing power of storytelling and books: natural and environmental disasters in Haiti and their psychologial effect on children. Following the tragic storms that hit Haiti and the collapse of a school that killed many children IBBY Haiti embarked on a project to bring relief to the children.
Latest news: click here for the latest news from Haiti follwoing the devastating earthquake of 13 January 2010.
Lebanon Project 2007
Conflict Management for War Traumatized Children. This programme is organized by IBBY Lebanon and is currently running in schools in Southern Lebanon using puppetry, theatre, storytelling and books to explore issues of anger, alternative methods of conflict resolution, etc. The project is fully funded by the residual of the IBBY Tsunami Appeal.
Gaza Project 2007-2009
This project, operated by the IBBY National Section of Palestine hosted by the MA'AN Development Centre in Ramallah, has created libraries in two community centres in Gaza, Palestine. In addition, bibliotherapy training is being given to the people working in the centres who, in turn, will train other bibliotherapists working throughout Gaza. The project is fully funded by the Paterson Family Private Foundation.
Latest news: click here for the latest news from Gaza.
Colombia Project 2008-2010
This project comprises reading clubs for children and young people who are victims of armed conflict in Colombia. Operated by the Banco del Libro (IBBY Venezuela) and Asolectura in Colombia, the project will involve 1,000 street children, who have been displaced by the ongoing civil conflict, in reading clubs. Selected books will be available through a system of mobile libraries. An important component of this project will be a phase of rigorous assessment at the end of the period, aimed at refining IBBY’s work in bibliotherapy.
Afghanistan Project 2009
Our goal for the initial meeting was to learn and understand much about the current conditions in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. This enables us not only to share expertise and mutual experiences, but also identify how we can use our international network to support the wok being done there. As partners, IBBY can use its worldwide group of committed people who believe that only by becoming readers can children around the world hope to change their circumstances.
Latest News: click here for the latest news of the Afghanistan project.
We are proud to announce that the following funds have already been donated to the IBBY Children in Crisis Fund:
- Paterson Family Private Foundation: US$ 25,000
- Catalan Publishers Association: EUR 400
- IBBY Canada: CHF 4,000
- Donation from Canada CAD$ 1,000
- Donations from individuals: CHF 2,500
A private donor in Switzerland has pledged CHF 100,000 as matching funds for all donations made to the IBBY Children in Crisis Fund.
Become a donor today and help us to make a difference!
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