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Tens of Thousands of refugees from Iraq are lining the roads into
Jordan, Syria and Turkey, fleeing from the approaching war.
More than 40,000 have already crossed unofficially into Syria. Ministries in Syria report
that roads are lined with refugee tents all the way from the Iraq border to as far as
Damascus and Aleppo. Thousands more are living out in the open without tents or shelter of
any kind.
The refugees are asking for food, fuel, blankets, heaters and medicines. Indigenous
churches and other evangelical ministries want to care for these refugees, but they are
already overwhelmed. They are calling for help from fellow believers in America. Christian
Aid is responding as gifts are received to help the refugees.
Families with small children are being given water, soap, diapers, milk and emergency food
supplies. Many Christian families in Jordan, Syria and Turkey are taking Christian
refugees into their homes so they won't have to go into the tent camps. But their food
supplies have been quickly exhausted, so they need our help.
Refugees entering Jordan are being funneled into two major camps. One is for Iraqi
nationals, the other is for nationals from other countries who may have been living in
Iraq and are now fleeing for their lives. Up to 5000 or more are expected in the second
camp. Christian ministries in Jordan have arranged to provide three meals a day for
inhabitants of the second camp for up to eight weeks.
Christian Aid has been sending financial assistance to indigenous evangelical ministries
in all these countries for several years. Compassionate native workers are on the scene to
help the refugees that are pouring in. Many have done all they can for now, until more
help is received.
Please pray for the Iraqi refugees, the Christian ministries in neighboring countries
assisting them, and for Christians in other Islamic lands. There is a strong sense that
when the war on Iraq begins, militant Muslims in Pakistan, Indonesia and other Islamic
countries will attack Christians in their midst, because they view the war on Iraq as an
attack on Islam.
Gifts may be given online at www.christianaid.org
or by credit card by calling 800-977-5650 and designated 444-IRAQ. Checks can be sent by
mail to Christian Aid Mission, P.O. Box 9037, Charlottesville, VA 22906. All contributions
are tax deductible.
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