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Barnabas feeds Iraqi Christian refugees

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Published: Tuesday 08 March 2011

Barnabas feeds Iraqi Christian refugees

Project(s): 20-246

Country: Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Middle East and North Africa

“I do submit to all of you our sincere thanks in our difficult plight.” Iraqi Christian refugee in Syria

The unrelenting anti-Christian violence in Iraq is continuing to force Christian families from their homes. They leave behind property, possessions and work, finding themselves in a strange place without the resources to provide food and other basic needs for their families.

Since 2003, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Barnabas Fund has given over £2.5m to help Iraqi Christians displaced in their own country, as well as those who have fled to neighbouring lands, with daily provisions. Last year, we spent £438,889 on food and other basics for Christians in Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

The latter part of 2010 was especially horrific for Iraqi Christians. More than 50 people were killed during a hostage siege at a Baghdad church at the end of October; this was followed by co-ordinated attacks on Christian neighbourhoods and the assassination of Christians in their homes and workplaces. Hundreds fled to the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan, while many more left the country altogether.

One such family comprises the parents, brother and sister of 26-year-old Fadi, who was shot dead by terrorists in Iraq last November. They stormed into the small Mosul supermarket where he was working and put a gun to his head, admitting later:

We were paid a sum of $200 by one of the group leaders and we killed Fadi simply because he was Christian.

His family realised their lives were not safe if they stayed and immediately made preparations to flee the country. At the end of December 2010 they arrived in Syria, where they now receive monthly food parcels from Barnabas Fund.

Welcomed in Syria

Syria has a history of welcoming Christian refugees and to date has taken in more Iraqi Christians than any other country. While grateful for a hospitable land to escape the violence in Iraq, Christian refugees in Syria often find themselves in desperate circumstances. Accommodation is expensive, and they are living in overcrowded conditions. The cost of food and medical treatment has also spiralled, and since they are not allowed to work legally, they soon get through their savings. Barnabas Fund provides Christian families with food parcels, which free up their savings for other pressing needs such as rent, clothing and medical bills.

Tough in Lebanon

Refugee children enjoy their breakfast, provided by Barnabas Fund, at a Christian school in

Lebanon allows Iraqi refugees only a one-month visitor's visa, after which they become illegal immigrants; they cannot work or put their children in Lebanese schools. As well as supplying food parcels for Christian families, Barnabas provides school breakfasts for refugee children in Lebanon.

Give Today

If you would like to give to help provide food and other basic supplies to Iraqi Christians please send your donation to:

project 20-246 (Iraq - Feeding Christian families) Donate
and/or 20-383 (Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan - Feeding programme). Donate

If you prefer to telephone, dial: 0800 587 4006 from within the UK or +44 1672 565031 from outside the UK. Please quote project reference project 20-246 (Iraq - Feeding Christian families) and/or 20-383 (Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan - Feeding programme).

If you prefer to send a cheque by post: Click this link for the address of our regional office. Please quote project reference project 20-246 (Iraq - Feeding Christian families) and/or 20-383 (Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan - Feeding programme).

For a quick donation of £3.00 by SMS (see terms and conditions here) text Barnabas/246 or Barnabas/383 to 70007 (Please note: This facility is presently only available to UK supporters).

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