2015-08-07 12:44:00

ACN providing new help to Iraqi Christian refugees


(Vatican Radio) It’s been one year since over 120 thousand Christians fled their homes in Qaraqosh in Iraq following an invasion by IS militants. Many escaped to Erbil in the north of the country with others fleeing into neighbouring countries such as Lebanon.

The Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need has just announced new projects that will provide much needed help to these displaced Christians.

Lydia O’Kane spoke to the charity’s Press Officer, John Newton about the plight of the refugees one year on.

Listen 

He said that in Erbil especially, “life has settled down into a routine, although of course it is a routine that is far from home and it is in less than ideal circumstances, but they’re sort of stoically reconciling themselves to their situation just getting on with life as best they can”

He goes on to say that in Iraq, “the local Catholic Churches are all working together and indeed working with their Orthodox counterparts. The Chaldean Church is overseeing and operation basically to provide everything those refugees need.”

The funds from ACN go towards supporting construction and running costs of Church institutions, food for destitute families, printing Bibles and other books, housing supplies, labour wages and medical treatments.

According to the charity it’s estimated that around 8.2 million people are in need of assistance in Iraq, with 3.1 million people internally displaced.








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