In November 2007 the roof covering the archives of the Matsieng Palace collapsed after heavy rains. The rain severely damaged the archives that contain a large part of the history of Lesotho. In addition to general historical information, the archives also contain personal histories that give an insight into family lives and the roots of the people of Lesotho. Immediate action had to be taken to stop further deterioration of the archives due to exposure to humidity. The University Archives of the University of Lesotho is working together with the National Archives of Lesotho to carry out the restoration. CER is contributing 3000 Euro to the work. With this amount the archives can be restored and organised, so that in a later stage they can go back to their original home in the palace.
CER is contributing to the rescue of the Muqaddam Ahmad Bin Omar Bassurah house in Daw’an, Hadramut (Yemen). The house has partly collapsed as the result of the heavy rainfall and flooding of May 2007. read more
In April 2007, CER supported a research mission that was set up in the aftermath of Hurricane Favio and the flooding that affected Mozambique. Two cultural emergency relief projects were identified as a result of this mission that consist of the archaeological sites at Manyikeni and Chibuene, both of which were seriously damaged by Hurricane Favio on 22 February 2007. CER has made it possible for these sites to be repaired. read more
Sri Lanka’s historic Malwana Fort suffered major damage as a result of the heavy rainfall and flooding of May 2007. With CER’s support the Fort’s walls and foundations have been stabilised so that this valuable community heritage can be preserved. read more
The mosque in the village of Rao-Rao was badly damaged by the earthquake that struck the province of West Sumatra on 6 March 2007. CER provided immediate assistance so that the roof and supporting walls could be reinforced in order to prevent the building’s collapse. read more
In March and April 2007, a number of provinces in Afghanistan suffered flooding, which was caused by heavy rainfall. CER provided immediate support to stabilise a synagogue and a mosque in the old city centre of Herat, both of which had been seriously damaged by the floods. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture in Afghanistan is carrying out the repairs. read more
The Mestassa mosque was severely damaged by the earthquake that struck Northern Morocco on 24 February 2004. CER provided immediate emergency relief to save the mosque. Its continued restoration has also been made possible through the support of the Dutch-based Morocco Fund. read more
CER is supporting the restoration of the roof and the digitalisation of the archive of UMAM Documentation and Research, a cultural centre and archive in Southern Beirut that was bombed during the conflict in July 2006. read more
Following the earthquake in Yogyakarta on 27 May 2006, CER supported the immediate restoration of the corner bastions of the Baluwerti Fort in Yogyakarta. read more
CER has supported the Imogiri community of batik-makers by building workplaces and a temporary museum. The Imogiri district of Yogyakarta was badly affected by the earthquake of 27 May 2006. read more
With Cordaid’s support, CER was able to reconstruct a manuscript library in Tanoh Abee, Aceh. The old library was damaged following the earthquake that caused the tsunami of 26 December 2004. The new library now ensures the preservation of this unique collection of Islamic manuscripts. read more
The Nias Heritage Museum was badly damaged by the earthquake of 28 March 2005. CER’s donation enabled the construction of a new, earthquake-proof depository for the museum’s collection. read more
Following the tsunami of 26 December 2004, CER provided immediate aid to the Komunitas Maestro, a recording and music studio in Banda Aceh. With CER’s support, equipment and instruments could be purchased for the studio so that Komunitas Maestro was able to resume its work. read more
CER’s support covered the reinforcement of two mansions in Nablus, which were damaged by military action. read more
Cultural Emergency Response has contributed 25,000 euro to enable work on the Maritime Archaeological Unit in Galle to be resumed immediately. read more
Cultural Emergency Response is facilitating the reopening of the National Gallery of Jamaica in Kingston that suffered considerable water damage in the wake of Hurricane Ivan on 10-11 September 2004. read more
Cultural Emergency Response contributed a donation of 1,200 euro for the repair of the roof of the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Demethros in Nablus that covers an unusual wooden ceiling. In May of this year, the roof was damaged as a result of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. read more
In the wake of the earthquake in Morocco on 24 Februrary 2004, Cultural Emergency Response contributed 25, 000 euro to the restoration and fortification of a 14 th Century Berber mosque in the village of Mestassa. read more
Over 2000 years old, the citadel of Bam in the South of Iran is the largest earthen structure in the world. On 26 December 2003 the oasis city was badly hit by an earthquake. The Citadel was extensively damaged. Cultural Emergency Response contributed 25,000 euro to saving the archive material and documenting the post-disaster situation. read more
Responding to the looting and destruction that followed the fall of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, Cultural Emergency Response offered 25,000 euro to the reconstruction of the Central Library of the University of Baghdad, Al –Waziriya site. read more
A CER action in Nablus, Palestina: The fortification of the supporting walls and facades of the Abu Sarrieh and Al-Sadder mansion. Copyright: Naseer Arafat
CER provides emergency relief for cultural heritages that have been affected by man-made or natural disasters.
Cultural Emergency Response
Prince Claus Fund
Hoge Nieuwstraat 30
2514 EL The Hague
Tel. 31 (0)70 4274303
Fax 31 (0)70 4274277
E-mail cer@princeclausfund.nl
www.princeclausfund.nl
