The people of Australia are responding quickly and generously to the Joint Emergency Appeal of Christian and Muslim Aid Agencies. The National Council of Churches' Christian World Service Commission and Muslim Aid Australia, with eight other agencies, launched the appeal at the end of March.
There is a desperate need for ongoing support for the people of Iraq.
Good news is that the first official shipment of emergency relief items arrived safely in Iraq, although at the time the border was officially closed. Edward Esho, the representative of the Middle East Council of Churches in Iraq, met the relief truck on the border between Syria and Iraq - he was not allowed to cross the border and meet with colleagues. Blankets and canned food have been distributed through churches and mosques and there are plans to send medicines in urgently.
The Middle East Council of Churches, a member of the global alliance Action by Churches Together (International), and the Red Crescent Movement, will continue to provide food and other relief to displaced families around Baghdad, Kirkuk, Mosul and Basra, purchasing supplies locally or bringing them into Iraq by truck. Fifty centres have been equipped with wells or water storage facilities, and are being used by families who have fled from dangerous areas.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees is seeking help of the MECC staff in providing food for refugees. Staff have also facilitated trucks coming from Greece loaded with food, water and medicine.
Some food is still available at local markets but stocks are dwindling and priced out of the reach of most people. Many households have already run out of food, and shortages of fresh and protein-rich foods threaten to worsen malnutrition, which is already rife.
The need remains great inside Iraq and for Iraqis in neighbouring countries, particularly Syria and Lebanon.
Tax deductible gifts can be made via Telephone or Secure Site
Christian World Service 1800 025 101 www.ncca.org.au
Muslim Aid Australia 1800 100 786 www.muslim-aid.org.au
AngliCORD 1800 249 880
Uniting Church Overseas Aid 1800 998 122
Australian Lutheran World Service 02 6021 5329
Churches of Christ Overseas Aid 08 8212 4446
Caritas Australia 1800 024 413
Anglican Board of Mission 1300 302 663
Assyrian Church of the East 02 9610 8680
Greek Orthodox Church 02 9698 5066
Further information :
Colleen Hodge, Christian World Service, Telephones 02 9299 2215/0419 6852 48
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