Jerusalem 2000, the Archbishop of Canterbury's appeal for the work of the Church in the Holy Land, has now raised over £1 million for development projects in the Holy Land.

The appeal, which has a target of raising £1.5 million and calls upon every member of the Anglican Church to contribute £1, aims to enable the Church to provide long-term capital development projects to alleviate the plight of Christians, Muslims and Jews caught up in the current violence in the Holy Land.

Over £230,000 has been received since Christmas 2001, sent by schools, parishes, cathedral congregations and individual church members keen to support building projects, such as the recently-completed community centre at Shefr Amre, on the outskirts of Nazareth. Dedicated early this month, it provides much needed accommodation, particularly for families. Future projects include a new secondary school building at the Evangelical Episcopal School, Ramallah and a new home for seriously disabled children at St Luke's, Beirut.

Dr Carey said the money showed that the Church could make a practical difference and change peoples' lives in devastated areas.

"I am pleased that the fund is now two-thirds of the way to its target. In this land of bombings, road-blocks and devastating poverty, the projects supported by Jerusalem 2000 are visible signs of our compassion, care and commitment to the poorest people of the Holy Land."

More information and photographs can be found at the Jerusalem 2000 web site: www.jerusalem2000.org.uk