Delegates from the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) and Action by Churches Together (ACT) returned on May 6 from a week long visit to Iraq. The group left Ahman, Jordan, on April 30 and arrived in Baghdad later that day. They visited the northern cities of Mosul, Kirkuk, Suleimaniya, and Erbil, and the southern city of Hilli. The delegation determined security, services such as electricity, water, and garbage, and education for children were the primary needs of the Iraqi people.

The convoy of six trucks contained 250 winter tents, 19,200 cans of meat, one thousand food packets made up of oil, tea, beans, sugar, rice, and detergents, 6,380 blankets, and a 40-foot container of medicine. The emergency stockpile is enough for one thousand families in Baghdad and Mosul.

The delegation reports that there are worries of possible disease outbreaks in water supplies contaminated by sewage. Many families are unable to buy available food because of a shortage of work and cash as well as rising prices.

Episcopal Relief and Development will continue to monitor developments in and around Iraq.

You can help us reach those in need! Make contributions payable to Episcopal Relief and Development and your designated gifts for Iraqi Conflict.

Episcopal Relief and Development
PO Box 12043
Newark, NJ 07101
(800) 334-7626 ext. 6113
http://www.er-d.org/