World Vision launches aid response for Iraqi refugees
March 12, 2006
World Vision is joining key coalitions in Europe and the United States to advocate for the estimated 2 million Iraqis who have fled across borders to escape violence in their homeland. It is also scaling up for immediate aid through partner organisations in Jordan while looking to assisting in other neighbouring countries.
New Zealander Judy Moore is now in Jordan, assessing the refugee situation there for World Vision, and as thousands of New Zealanders gear up for the 40 Hour Famine this weekend, World Vision New Zealand is committing $50,000 from Famine funds to the Iraqi refugee situation.
Life for Iraqi refugees is bleak, and World Vision is concerned about the welfare of more than a million people. JOHN SCHENK
“Every year we put a certain amount aside from Famine funds for humanitarian emergencies,” says World Vision’s youth marketing manager Layla Salamoun.
“This gives us the opportunity to give immediate aid where it’s needed, rather than wait till we can fundraise.”
UNHCR reports as many as 50,000 people are fleeing Iraq each month. Presently, there are between 500,000 and 700,000 Iraqi refugees in Jordan and 700,000-1 million in Syria and the numbers are growing. Others have fled to Egypt and Lebanon.
“This has been a rapidly unfolding humanitarian crisis. Until recently, it really had no voice, yet the suffering is severe,” said Hendrik Harbers, World Vision’s relief co-ordinator for the Middle East.
Iraqi children draw about their experiences as refugees, many now living in Jordan. JOHN SCHENK
“None of the nations in this region receiving this massive outpouring of refugees have the infrastructure and services to accommodate such numbers.” Harbers continued.
World Vision is calling for increased aid to meet the immediate material needs of Iraqi refugees with a special focus on children. Partner agencies report widespread emotional problems among refugee children. Families report their children grow restless and depressed because they cannot attend schools.
World Vision will support partner organisations in providing food and non-food essentials, providing basic health care and non-formal education to children.
The 40 Hour Famine started in 1975 in response to a devastating famine in Ethiopia. Now, 32 years on, it has become a New Zealand school tradition. Last year 126,000 New Zealanders took part in the Famine, raising a total of $2.67 million.
The official Famine weekend begins at 8pm on Friday March 16 and finishes at 11am on Sunday March 18 (taking into account daylight saving).
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