SEATTLE - Peter Sundt, Middle East
Relief Manager for World Concern and Food for the Hungry, returned to Amman,
Jordan today from visiting three cities in Iraq. In each city, Sundt and
a team of relief experts from partner agencies met with individual families
in their homes to gain a picture of how they are coping.
"Mothers are looking pretty worried,"
Sundt reported, "especially in Baghdad. Baghdad remains an absolute
war zone with collapsed buildings, sewage in the streets, tanks strewn
about and lots of crime."
In addition to security, food is desperately needed, especially high protein items like canned meat. "Children here are definitely showing signs of stunted growth from lack of protein in recent years," said Sundt. World Concern, along with international and local partners, now have food in Baghdad which will be distributed to 1,000 families over the next few days. Plans are underway to increase that number to up to 20,000 families.
World Concern is getting food to families through a previously established distribution system organized by Christian churches in Iraq. According to Sundt, the Iraqi Christian churches are "active and vibrant." They have been distributing aid to both Christian and Muslim families for more than four years and have a good reputation in their communities. Sundt and his team didn't see many other international agencies working in regions they visited.
Food to be distributed will include items with which Iraqis were familiar prior to the 1990's sanctions: canned meats, oil, sugar, rice, flour and pasta. Though this week's food shipment was brought in from Jordan, food items will be purchased locally whenever possible to help boost Iraq's struggling economy.
Seattle-based World Concern has been providing life, opportunity and hope to families in need worldwide since 1955. World Concern's Middle East relief response is currently funded solely by private donations. For more information or to make a donation, please call (800) 755-5022 or visit www.worldconcern.org. Gifts by check or money order can also be mailed to World Concern, Iraq Refugee Relief, 19303 Fremont Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98133. World Concern is a ministry of CRISTA.