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March 11, 2003
IRAQ: World Vision ready to bring aid in event of conflict
Amman, Jordan - World Vision, the international Christian humanitarian organization, is preparing to provide relief assistance to Iraqi refugees in the event of war.
Ton van Zutphen, World Vision’s Middle East relief manager, said that while the agency hopes that war might be averted for the sake of Iraq’s 13 million children, that hope has not interfered with preparations for a humanitarian emergency.
“It would be irresponsible to be unprepared in light of the extremely serious threat war poses to those who will suffer,” he said. “We are greatly concerned about the humanitarian consequences of this war.”
World Vision is ready to assist refugees fleeing Iraq into Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Iran and, if and when conditions permit, within Iraq.
“During the 1991 Gulf War more than one million people were displaced,” van Zutphen said. “Given the possibility of a more protracted war and the possible use of chemical or biological weapons, the number of men, women and children needing food and shelter could be equally enormous.”
World Vision’s initial relief response would include food, blankets, kitchen sets and water containers for refugees fleeing to northeastern Syria, and at three refugee camps close to the Iraqi border in Western Iran. The agency plans to establish similar programs in Jordan and Turkey.
The agency is shipping supplies of medicine, water containers and clothes to Jordan for use in a possible crisis. Also, it is positioning staff throughout the region.
“Many lives are at stake here,” van Zutphen said. “The more resources at our disposal the better we can help people in need. We hope and trust people will support these efforts.”
CONTACTS: mediainfo@worldvision.org
