Image above: Happy Iraqi children with Arabic flatbread
In the interview, the relief project manager talks about his impressions from a visit to northern Iraq, where he met refugees receiving emergency aid. For security reasons, we cannot publish the project manager's name.
You have returned from Iraq. Where have you been?
I visited our relief projects and our local teams in Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq. Specifically, I was in the cities of Erbil, Duhok, Zakho, Kalak and the surrounding villages.
What situation did you encounter there and how are the refugees doing?
Refugees are everywhere, mostly Christians from Mosul and Qaraqosh, and many Yazidis from Sinjar. When they arrived in northern Iraq, they found refuge in public schools, tent cities, parks, empty, unfinished buildings or on the streets. Unfortunately, just as winter set in, the authorities demanded that the refugees housed in schools had to move to make it possible to start the school year for the children of local residents. As a result, many of the refugees were forced into small village communities in the mountains. During this unusually harsh winter, the frost can be very severe in the mountains.
The refugees express great concern. They are cold at night, have no blankets and lack warm clothes.
How can you help from here?
Our fellow believers ask for our prayers. The local partners in Northern Iraq who carry out the work have formed relief alliances and, thanks to the support of Danish European Mission donors, they regularly help around 8,000 refugees. Depending on the emergency, they receive packages of food, baby and children's food, clothing, laundry and hygiene items, blankets, mattresses, tent material and shelter. The aid is provided regardless of religion and origin.
How are the displaced people doing?
The refugees are very grateful for the aid. Many have thanked them for "the solidarity shown by Christians" and for the "glimmer of hope". I was surprised that there were only a few desperate people in the camps. It was actually shameful how kindly we were received and how hospitable the refugees welcomed us in the simplest tents.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the Iraqi refugees. You bring warmth to the refugees this cold winter in Iraq. Not only physically, but they also feel the love from people like you.
