Iraqi Refugee Crisis Grows

Thursday, May 31, A.D. 2007

One of the major under-reported stories and growing humanitarian concerns from the war in Iraq is the 40,000 to 50,000 people fleeing the country every month. Jordan, Syria and other neighboring Arab countries are receiving the vast majority of the Iraqi refugees, but limited resources as well as internal security and stability issues make it increasingly difficult for them to adequately provide the refuge needed. Of course, hundreds upon hundreds of thousands of Iraqis remain uprooted and displaced within Iraq but are unable to leave. The Iraqi Christian community, which before the war was small, yet played a visible and unique role in Iraqi society, is now feared by many to be on the verge of becoming non-existent.

In response to this growing humanitarian crisis, members of the Action by Churches Together (ACT) network, including Church World Service (CWS), are meeting this week in Amman, Jordan and are planning ways to assist thousands of displaced Iraqis, both those who are displaced within Iraq and those who have left their country due to the ongoing war. Other ACT partners include the Middle East Council of Churches, Norwegian Church Aid, Christian Aid (UK) and International Orthodox Christian Charities.

Week of Compassion is anticipating a major appeal to be issued by CWS which will include support for components of ACT efforts in the neighboring countries, as well as support for the several local partners with which CWS works bi-laterally within Iraq. WOC is now beginning plans for a response on behalf of the Disciples.

WOC Responds to Midwest Floods

While drought grips much of the U.S. Southeast and Southwest, high rainfall and floods continue to impact much of the nationís Midwest, especially central Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas. Week of Compassion is responding to a request from First Christian Church, Duncan, OK, to assist with its families whose homes have been flooded. WOC continues to monitor the situation across the Midwest and is contacting regional offices and local congregations about additional needs to which we can respond.

Volunteer Opportunities Abound

Volunteer opportunities abound for Disciples work groups. Work groups are still needed in large numbers across the Gulf Coast to participate in the Disciples Hurricane Recovery Initiative through the end of the summer of '08. Work groups are needed in Kansas to respond to the recent tornadoes and flooding. And now WOC has received an urgent request from Dave Troxler, pastor of First CC, Daytona Beach, FL, and president of VIND (Volusia Interfaith Networking Disasters), for skilled volunteers to help rebuild homes following the tornadoes of Christmas Day 2006 and February 2, 2007. Call the Office of Disciples Volunteering for details and scheduling at 888.346.2631.

Also, CWS greatly needs volunteer groups to help sort through kits at its New Windsor, MD, distribution facility. Volunteers for a day or longer will help assemble and process kits and make sure any expired items are replaced. The need for volunteer help is urgent, as we have many pending kit requests from overseas partners that cannot be facilitated until kits in the warehouse are processed. Call 410.635.8700, the Brethren Service Center Hospitality Office, if you would like to schedule a time to help!

WOC Map/Poster

Click here for the latest additions to the WOC interactive map/poster. For a complimentary copy of the WOC map/poster for your congregation, call the office at 317.713.2442 or send an e-mail to ecleveland@woc.disciples.org.