UK's Caabu in funding crisis

The UK-based Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) has launched an emergency appeal for funds, stating they would have to close its office by the end of May if they were not helped. The organisations holds forums, talks, debates, semianrs and other events to carry out vital work in advancing Arab-British relations. "At a time when so many Arabs are bravely putting their lives on the line across the region, it is absolutely crucial that Caabu continues its work as the only cross-party, Arab-British organisation lobbying on major human rights and policy issues, briefing MPs and journalists and providing active engagement with the Arab world and Arab-British communities in British schools," said the organisation in a statement. The organisation said their work was crucial to "maintain pressure on the British government," and that it was essential to push for "constructive policies addressing the crises in Syria and Yemen, promoting stabilisation and transition in Libya and other countries whilst keeping Palestine on the agenda." The organisation has long stated that campaigning for Palestinian rights was a fundamental aspect of their work, providing an alternative to the pro-Israel lobby. Their work ranges from educating British schoolchildren about the Middle East, organising a trip for parlimaentarians to Palestine in 2011 where they raised several issues, as well as working closely with Medical Aid for Palestinians. Andy Love MP, Co-Chair of Caabu said: "The team at Caabu has down outstanding work to improve understanding of the Arab World with politicians and campaign for a more principled British foreign policy towards the Arab World. I have just come back from a first class Caabu delegation to Lebanon where we saw first hand the horrific conditions that face both Palestinian and Syrian refugees.  From my perspective and many other politicians it would be a massive loss if Caabu could not continue this vital work." In its appeal Caabu stated it needed a minimum of £260,000 a year to carry out its work.