Emergency appeal update: Assistance to war affected Iraqis
December 19, 2007
Ongoing conflict has forced more than 4.6 million Iraqis from their homes, with some 1 million having been displaced prior to the 2003 U.S. invasion, and another 3.6 million displaced, both inside and outside Iraq, since 2003. As many as half of those have sought safety in neighboring Jordan and Syria. It is estimated one in every six Iraqis has fled to seek safety.
A recent report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) indicated that: "Shelter consistently remains a top priority need listed by IDPs. The majority (59%) of IDPs assessed live in rented shelter, often without basic services, which is not sustainable for the many IDPs who do not have income and whose displacement has become protracted. An additional 19% stay with relatives or host families, causing overcrowded conditions and placing a burden on their hosts. Seven percent (7%) live in collective settlements, and another 7% are staying in public buildings. The remaining 8% live in other types of arrangements, such as tents in camps, tents near hosts? homes."
Despite recent reports that some displaced Iraqis are returning to their homes, it is reportedly a small percentage and those returning face an uncertain future given continuing violence and widespread humanitarian needs. As well, authorities in Iraq, Syria and Jordan have begun restricting movement of civilians, raising concerns about the ability to flee dangerous areas.
CWS RESPONSE
CWS is supporting Action by Churches Together
(ACT) International members as well as three other partner agencies working to assist war affected Iraqis. CWS's support to these three agencies is as follows:
1) Emergency medical distribution
A CWS partner ? not publicly named in this appeal because of security concerns but with whom CWS has worked since 2003 -- has worked in Iraq since 1997 and has been supporting hospitals with medical supplies since 2005. With its experienced staff and contacts in Iraqi hospitals, this partner is well-positioned to monitor the needs of hospitals throughout Iraq. Collaboration with and support of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) enables them to reach hard-to-access locations.
The current project focuses on areas of violence in western, southern and central Iraq (including Baghdad).
Beneficiaries: Victims of violence, both settled and internally displaced, in the regions of operation. The beneficiaries are patients / casualties brought to hospitals in time of crisis. Specifically:
* 48,000 patients will benefit from medical consumables;
* Up to 4,000 patients will benefit from Antibiotic and Analgesic drugs;
* Approximately 1,560 patients per day will benefit from new equipment.
2) Capacity building of Iraqi NGOs
Italian Consortium of Solidarity (ICS), CWS and Oxfam GB are collaborating on the third phase of an effort to solidify the work done by six Iraqi NGOs and to reach out to additional Iraqi agencies. (CWS began a partner relationship with ICS in May 2005.) Specifically:
* ICS, in consultation with the six NGOS, has identified a need for trainings in project monitoring, project evaluation and networking with other humanitarian actors. These trainings will be conducted as the NGOs continue their various community-based projects, including opening a computer center, equipping a school library, initiating a household hygiene awareness campaign and several peace awareness/conflict mitigation initiatives.
* A second component of this project is identifying six additional Iraqi NGOs. Each of the original NGOs will identify and mentor a new NGO. These new NGOs will be provided small grants and be assisted in implementing a community project.
3) Support to vulnerable children
A CWS partner has been implementing projects focused on improving the caring facilities for vulnerable children in Iraq since 1995. This work, in cooperation with the Iraqi Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA), has been conducted with orphanages, as well as with community centers and mobile street units for children at risk. CWS has partnered with this agency since 2003.
The current project is an innovative project that re-integrates institutionalized children into family settings. It is an intensive program involving social workers from the partner NGO working with children, families and MOLSA staff. This project is largely funded by UNICEF. There is a food support component, however, that is not within UNICEF's mandate. This support is to help financially vulnerable families during the reintegration process.
CWS is providing $45,000 to support the food basket part of the project. Food includes cheese, biscuits, jam, milk powder, tomato paste, canned meat, oil and eggs. Distribution will begin in January and will support 38 re-integrated children (from the last phase) for a period of about six months, and an additional 50 re-integrated children from the current phase of this project for a period of about nine months. Food baskets are distributed monthly.
Contributions to support this emergency appeal may be sent to your denomination or to: Church World Service, Appeal - Account #6823 (Assistance to War-Affected Iraqis), P.O. Box 968 Elkhart, IN 46515. Contributions may also be made by credit card online or by calling: (800) 297-1516, ext. 222.
Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676; lcrosson@churchworldservice.org Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526; jdragin@gis.net