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April 4, 2003 (Christian Aid)
-- Iraqis seeking refuge in Syria bear the emotional scars of war, according to a direct
report received by Christian Aid.
A team of Jordanian and Syrian Christians visited several cities in the northeastern tip
of the country between Iraq and Turkey. There they found hundreds of Iraqi families who
had left their homes searching for peace, support and rest. Most were from Christian
background.
Most of them had left some of their family members behind. Almost all came from Baghdad.
Forty percent were children age 15 or under. All told sad and discouraging stories.
The children had left their schools and friends behind. Their emotional state was
shattered. "Their eyes are full of tears with astonishment and wonder," the
leader said.
He said the people were staying with other Christian families--two or three families to a
house. In some cases five families shared a house while their hosts lived elsewhere.
The team left food and in some cases offered medical assistance, as many were suffering
from major health problems.
The team leader said he was expecting to visit hundreds of other Iraqi families in the
next week.
"We are sharing a huge burden," the leader said, who is pastor of a small
Christian church in Syria. "The problem is bigger than what we have, but we believe
that the Lord is giving us a unique way to serve Him."
Gifts to help Iraqi refugees can be given by credit card at Christian Aid's website
www.christianaid.org or by calling 1-800-977-5650.
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