"The primary need of the Iraqi people was security", said the Reverend Dr Nuhad Tomeh, International Coordinator of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) who returned from an inspection visit to Iraq in mid-May. He travelled with a delegation of nine people from church-related relief organisations, including Action by Churches Together (International).
Christian World Service (CWS) Commission of the National Council of Churches in Australia is working with ACT to provide essential supplies - the generosity of people to the Joint Emergency Appeal of Christian and Muslim Aid Agencies in Australia will ensure that the ongoing needs of Iraqi people, regardless of race, creed and nationality and without adverse distinction of any kind, are able to be met.
Dr Tomeh went on to report to representatives of church agencies in Amman (Jordan) that "First, security. Second, services - electricity, water - garbage is everywhere. And third, people need to send their children back to school. The schools have been closed, and many have been looted." Parents are afraid to let children go to school by themselves and some stay at school all day because of the security concerns.
Director of CWS's International Programs, Charlie Ocampo, was present at the Amman meeting. He said "security is on the mind of everyone - many people in Baghdad are armed because armories have been looted and buying guns is easy if people have the money. By 7.30pm streets are empty of people because of the lack of security".
Christian-Muslim relations were good and cooperation with each other was ensuring that no harm came to worship places. Interfaith committees in local neighbourhoods established to provide food supplies to Christians and Muslims during the war had helped lay a foundation of goodwill that is being built on.
Unemployment is a major concern in Iraq and more and more people are seeking help in cash or kind. Church leaders are asking for financial aid to meet rising needs and they welcomed the setting up of an MECC office in Baghdad - with the number of non-government organisations operating in Iraq there was urgent need for coordination.
In the northern cities the situation was better but the political and administrative situations were not helping the humanitarian efforts.
The MECC had supported the building of artesian wells in Iraq and continued to supply non-food aid and first aid kits. A health committee of church-members and pharmacists would be established in order to assess the health situation and respond to needs.
People are very worried about the future. "If there is no stable, strong government soon, they are afraid of civil war," said Dr Tomeh.
Following the meeting, Charlie Ocampo visited Gaza in Israel. Returning to Jerusalem he was held for over six hours at the Erez Israeli checkpoint, without explanation, while his passport was checked. "This experience taught me how difficult Palestinian life under occupation must be. I felt my right of movement, with an Australian passport, was infringed."
Tax deductible gifts to the Christian and Muslim Joint Emergency Appeal for Iraq can be made to Christian World Service : Phone 1800 025 10, or here on our Secure Site.
Further information :
Colleen Hodge, Christian World Service, Telephones 02 9299 2215/0419 6852 48
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