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Reaching out in Love
to the Suffering of Iraq
Hunger in Iraq – We have the opportunity to Respond!!
1- Stop Hunger Now, a North Carolina
Conference Advance, has established the 20-4-4 Iraqi Hunger Crisis Initiative.
For just under $20, you can feed a family of four for four weeks. This is an
opportunity to reach out in love to those who might otherwise be forgotten.
To Make a Gift of Food through Stop Hunger Now -- Please make checks payable to NC Conference/Raleigh Area, The United Methodist Church, PO Box 60053, Charlotte, NC 28260-0053 Mark on envelope and check: Attn: Stop Hunger Now – Iraq #S00138 Please ensure your name or the name of your church and district is listed on the check!
2- UMCOR -- The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is responding to the crisis in Iraq through its ecumenical parters, including Action by Churches Together (ACT), Church World Service (CWS), the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), Norwegian Church Aid, and the Mennonite Central Committee. The Mennonites specialize in providing direct food aid, tents and blankets, medicine and relief kits to the people of Iraq. We also are supporting CWS' "All Our Children" appeal. During the last two decades the children have suffered at the hands of both internal and external forces. Officials estimate that 500,000 to one million of them have died.
Please give to UMCOR's Advance #623225-4 "Iraq Emergency." Checks should be written to UMCOR with the Advance number and name of the response in the memo line. One hundred percent of your gift will be used for this emergency. The generous giving of United Methodists to the One Great Hour of Sharing supplements the cost of Advance gifts. Give through a local United Methodist church or send financial contributions to: UMCOR, 475 Riverside Dr., Room 330, New York, NY 10115. Call (800) 554-8583 to make a credit card donation. You can also donate online.
UMCOR and Stop Hunger Now are part of the NC Conference Rainbow Covenant. |
Iraq
is suffering an ongoing humanitarian crisis. This continuing need stems largely
from two consecutive wars, the long-term geo-political crisis, and severe
economic sanctions. Health conditions have deteriorated drastically in the
1990s with limited access to clean water and inadequate essential health care.
United Nation agencies estimate that over 60 per cent of the Iraqi population –
the poorest of the poor – rely solely on a monthly food basket to meet all
household needs. Now we can respond through two avenues: 