wfn.org | As War Begins, CWS Accelerates Ongoing Relief to Iraqis

["Church World Service News" <nccc_usa@ncccusa.org>]

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE MEDIA ADVISORY
March 19, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AS WAR BEGINS, CWS ACCELERATES ONGOING RELIEF TO IRAQIS

March 19, 2003, NEW YORK CITY - With the launching of U.S. military action
against Iraq, the global humanitarian agency Church World Service announced
its intention to accelerate its longstanding relief services to the people
of Iraq, voicing concerns over projected humanitarian toll on the Iraqi
people.  The statement reflects CWS' position, prior to the beginning of
military action, against pre-emptive war with Iraq.

In a statement issued today, Church World Service Executive Director John L.
McCullough announced that,  "At this time we grieve for those who are having
to endure additional sufferings. We are keenly aware of the fact that, for
many of the people of Iraq, this war comes at the end of what has already
been twelve years of severe human conditions," causing "the loss of loved
ones, particularly children. . . . It is our hope that any warfare within
this region will come to a quick conclusion, and that loss of life and limb
will be minimized."

"I encourage all people of faith," McCullough urged,  "to uphold in thought
and prayer the people of Iraq, all those persons serving in the armed
forces, and the leaders of our nation, so that they may be guided by the
wisdom of God and by a true commitment to peace with justice, as embodied by
Christ."

Concerning Church World Service's response during the conflict, McCullough
said, the agency has "for many years had an established and ongoing
partnership in providing humanitarian services to the people of Iraq. We
will continue that commitment and presence. . . . We will respond on the
basis of human need, either directly or working through our established
partners in the region, including the Middle East Council of Churches."

CWS will also assess the situation and needs of Iraqi people who may be
fleeing to neighboring countries and says the organization and its partners
would respond through infrastructures already in place, particularly in
Jordan.

McCullough made clear, however, that "Church World Service's humanitarian
assistance should not be seen as acquiescence to the war."

"Our work in Iraq is a continuation of a long term commitment to assisting
the most vulnerable," explains the agency's Director of Emergency Response
Programs Rick Augsburger. Since the Gulf War, CWS has maintained an ongoing
commitment to the Iraqi people and has continued to provide UN-sanctioned
medical supplies and provisions, particularly focused on children.

The 56-year-old agency is responding through its long-time partner, the
Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), which has addressed its capacities
in Iraq and neighboring countries. Some relief supplies were positioned in
Iraq and Jordan just prior to the war. CWS has already airlifted 4,500
blankets, valued at $19,170, to MECC in Amman Jordan.

Church World Service also announced today the issuance of a new $1.5 million
appeal ($1,552,569) to help fund humanitarian response to Iraq. Appeal funds
are designated for use and implementation by the agency's on the ground
partner The Middle East Council of Churches.

This campaign extends CWS' ongoing fundraising and supply provision efforts.
The agency has provided some $3 million in the last five years for
humanitarian assistance in Iraq. In addition, CWS recently entered into a
multi-agency coalition campaign called All Our Children, created to provide
for the medical and health needs of Iraqi children which have been greatly
exacerbated by wars and more than a decade of trade sanctions. That appeal
for $1 million was expanded in February.

CWS depends heavily on contributions from private, public and ecumenically
based fundraising and has said it will not accept U.S. government funding
for the initial emergency phase of the current Iraq conflict.

Prior to the war, CWS stated deep concerns over the U.S. government's
"embedded humanitarian response" strategy announced for the early days of
the war and what, from initial government information, was characterized as
insufficient preparedness.

Alluding to the neutral position and trust traditionally held for
humanitarian aid relief workers, Augsburger commented, "That control over
reconstruction and humanitarian activities in Iraq has been placed with the
Department of Defense flies in the face of humanitarian principles."

Church World Service is an international humanitarian agency and ministry of
the 36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican member denominations of the
National Council of Churches, working in partnership with local
organizations in more than 80 countries to support sustainable self-help and
development, meet emergency needs, aid refugees, and address the root causes
of poverty and powerlessness

John McCullough spent five days in Iraq at the end of January, as member of
a humanitarian research mission to Baghdad, sponsored by the Center for
Economic and Social Rights (CESR).

Editor:

 if you are listing agencies accepting donations for Iraq-related
humanitarian aid, please be sure to include: Church World Service Iraq
Humanitarian Response, Post Office Box 968 Elkhart, IN 46515; phone number:
(800) 297-1516; website: www.churchworldservice.org

 If you are listing humanitarian agencies involved in providing
humanitarian aid to the people of Iraq, please list Church World Service
with the contact information above.

 Full text of Church World Service Statement concerning U.S.-led military
intervention in Iraq and backgrounder press kits: available on request.

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MEDIA CONTACTS: 	Carol Fouke/New York
Phone: (212) 870-2252/2227; e-mail: news@ncccusa.org

Jan Dragin/New York & Boston
Phone: (781) 925-1526; e-mail: jdragin@gis.net