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Christian and Muslim aid agencies unite to condemn violence in Iraq


Families flee on foot in summer heat

Families flee on foot in summer heat

CAFOD has joined leading Muslim charities – including Muslim Aid, Muslim Charities Forum and Islamic Help – to launch an urgent call for an end to the horrific suffering in Iraq. In a joint statement, also signed by the Act Alliance and World Vision, the agencies described the suffering of minorities, including Christians, Yazidis and Turkmens, as “unacceptable” and "despicable".

CAFOD’s Alan Thomlinson said: “People of all faiths are appalled by the wave of attacks in Iraq that has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless and in desperate need. That’s why we have joined forces to condemn the violence, and to call for an immediate end to the violation of international human rights and humanitarian laws.”

The agencies are calling on the United Nations Security Council, the Arab League and governments around the world to take all possible peaceful measures to prevent killings and other forms of violence. They are asking governments to deliver humanitarian aid, to push for peace and dialogue, and to prioritise the protection of minorities.

The statement said: “The minorities are not strangers or alien to the land, they are important groups firmly rooted in the origin of Iraq and have defined the identity of the country, and have the right to be full citizens in their land. Their homes, their land, historic and cultural sites are connected to their heritage and lives. We are gravely concerned about their exposure to more loss, attacks, rape and other violations.”

With the support of Catholics in England and Wales, CAFOD continues to work with its local partner Caritas Iraq to provide food, healthcare and other basic aid to thousands of families who have been forced from their homes by the fighting.

Caritas Iraq is providing aid to 35,000 people around Ain Kawa, Zakho, Dohuk and Erbil, and aims to reach 150,000 people over the next six months. The team say that the donations and prayers of Catholics around the world are a much-needed source of hope.

Nabil Nissan, Executive Director of Caritas Iraq, said: “The moral and financial support and encouragement has been simply great. This is one of the few positive results from this crisis. We felt that we aren’t alone and this has given us new strength to support the displaced people despite all the difficulties.”

Alan Thomlinson said: “Our partners in Iraq are taking huge risks to make sure that life-saving aid gets through to the people who really need it. They themselves are caught up in the fighting just like everyone else, and – despite the challenges – they are showing great compassion towards their brothers and sisters.”

Read the joint statement here: www.cafod.org.uk/content/download/19312/138748/file/An%20Urgent%20Call%20to%20Stop%20the%20Horrific%20Suffering%20in%20Iraq.pdf

Since 2012, CAFOD has supported a multi-million pound humanitarian programme in response to the crises in the Middle East. The agency is currently providing aid to tens of thousands of people in need in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Gaza.

Download CAFOD's quarterly Crisis Watch report here: www.cafod.org.uk/News/Press-Centre/Crisis-watch


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