Appeal for Iraq Refugees

Wednesday June 18 2014

Christian Aid have launched an urgent crisis appeal to help families fleeing the latest conflict in Iraq.

The charity says that more than 500,000 men, women and children have left Mosul and other cities in north-western Iraq in recent days, following attacks by ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) militants. The families are heading into a region where there are already a large number of refugees from the Syrian civil war.

Adrian Ouvry, head of humanitarian programmes at Christian Aid, said: “This is a crisis on top of a crisis. Large numbers have fled to an area where there is already a serious need as a result of the Syrian conflict.

“With this new crisis, there is now an even greater need for help.”

Hero Anwar is from Christian Aid partner REACH, which is helping some of the most vulnerable refugee communities. She told the BBC: "People cannot stay in a place where they are under threat. They have to flee their homes with nothing. They have nothing and they need basic items just to survive."

You can donate to the Christian Aid appeal here.

Meanwhile, charities that monitor persecution of Christians say that up to 1000 Christian families are among the refugees from Mosul.

Reporting on June 11, Open Doors said that 200 Christian families were sheltering in the monastery of Mar Mattai, 12 miles from Mosul. A further 50 families were sheltering in a monastery in Alqosh. Several schools in mainly Christian villages have also opened their doors for displaced Christian families.

"Mosul soon will be emptied of Christians," said a spokesman. "This could be the last migration of Christians from Mosul."

Post Tags: christian aid, iraq

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