wfn.org | ACNS3524 Iraqis receive critical food assistance from Episcopal

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3524     |     USA/MIDDLE EAST	|     28 JULY 2003 

Iraqis receive critical food assistance from Episcopal Relief and
Development

[ACNS source: Episcopal Relief and Development] The Revd Carl Harris, an
Episcopal priest and a consultant for Episcopal Relief and Development
(ERD), went to Iraq in June to assess the needs of people in the country
following the war. Mr Harris, who has worked with nongovernmental
organisations in Kosovo, Bosnia, Rwanda and Vietnam, described Iraq as a
very dangerous place. "I saw the challenges many families face and how
they experience daily life in Baghdad and Mosul," he said.

As part of ERD's long-term response to the needs of the people in Iraq,
Mr Harris evaluated the immediate needs of the most vulnerable Iraqi
people. He visited the home of a blind, elderly woman in Mosul. "She
lived in a one room apartment and had no resources," he said. "She had
no family and depended on food from a local church." 

Others that Mr Harris visited described how they are constantly living
in fear. "Many Iraqis are reluctant to leave their homes for fear of
being viciously mugged," he said. "Other people don't want to leave
their houses unguarded, since they are targets of opportunity for
looters."

ERD is providing assistance to people who have limited access to food in
Mosul and Baghdad and supplying food through a partnership with World
Concern and Manara Ministries in Iraq. An initial contribution of
US$25,000 in emergency assistance is helping people in Iraq receive
critical food supplies. 

"The current challenges to peace in Iraq are significant, but ERD is
committed to getting humanitarian assistance to those in need," said
Mary Becchi, Deputy Director of Program and Program Planning. "We remain
focused on addressing the basic human needs of Iraqis by providing food
assistance, medical supplies, clean water, and sanitation systems. ERD
prays for peace for the Iraqi people and reconstruction of their land."

As the official development agency of the Episcopal Church, USA,
Episcopal Relief and Development provides immediate assistance to people
in the midst of crisis. ERD has a history of serving as an effective,
reliable and vital ministry of the Episcopal Church in communities
around the world.

To learn more about ERD's work worldwide, visit www.er-d.org.

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