Apppeal Target: US$ 873,259

Balance Requested to the ACT Alliance: US$ 817,030

The escalating sectarian conflict in Iraq has created a situation of lawlessness and humanitarian distress. As a result, large parts of the population have fled Bagdad to other regions in Iraq or have sought refuge outside the country. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, two million Iraqis are internally displaced and more than two million have fled to neighbouring countries. There are an estimated 1.4 million Iraqi refugees in Syria and about 750,000 in Jordan.

The lack of security and fear of killings has severely impacted also the social and economic life in Iraq. In many places, the population is deprived of clean water and electricity. Often public schools do not operate, because teachers and students are prevented from moving freely on the streets. School enrolment has dropped sharply, and in particular girls cannot attend classes. People are threatened with death because of their affiliation to specific religions, among which also count the Christian minority.  

The Iraqi refugees in both Syria and Jordan face dire conditions. They live on little resources and have little perspective as to when they will be able to return to their country. In Syria, Iraqi refugees benefit from a legal status allowing them to work and send their children to school. In Jordan refugees are considered “visitors” with no right to working permits and to social services, which leaves them little scope to fend for themselves. In both countries, the refugee crisis has added a huge demand on the social and economic infrastructure which is a tremendous burden to the host countries. Prices for rent and daily food have gone up and water resources have become scarce for the all residents. As a consequence due to the lack of adequate resources to countries hosting Iraqi refugees, the health and the lives of thousands of refugees and the stability of the region are at risk.  

Against this background, the ACT CO and ACT members in the region made a rapid assessment of the situation of refugees in Jordan and Syria in May. On 31 May, ACT Members held a telephone conference to discuss a response by the ACT Alliance and convened to issue an appeal to support Iraqi refugees and displaced families inside Iraq.

ACT member International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is proposing to assist selected communities in Iraq and Syria through its church-related network. Some 2,900 Iraqi families will receive food parcels and hygiene kits.

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is proposing to assist with three different components: i) to provide social and psychological assistance to three youth centers in Bagdad and Basrah, ii) to supply the district hospital in the Abu Al-Khasib near Basrah hospital with water filter system which will benefit about 200 000 people, iii) to provide shelters for about 300 persons in the Arab marsh land.

Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) proposes to assist Iraqi families with food parcels, medicines and cloths in Syria, Jordan and Iraq. The proposal also includes support to youths to get computer training in Syria.

Project Completion Date:

IOCC: 31 October 2007

MECC: 29 February 2007

NCA: 31 July 2008

Reporting Schedule:

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested (US$):

Signed by:

John Nduna
Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office