As more than 2 million internally displaced people face the harsh realities of winter in Iraq, World Vision welcomes a further $5 million from the Australian Government towards humanitarian aid.
World Vision chief executive Tim Costello said millions of Iraqi families affected by ongoing conflict were dependent on international assistance to meet critical humanitarian needs.
“Since October last year, World Vision has worked in partnership with the World Food Programme assisting displaced families with vouchers to obtain food,” Mr Costello said.
World Vision is appealing for further funding commitments from the Australian Government to ensure vulnerable children and families can access food and other basic supplies.
World Vision has also been providing emergency health care for vulnerable children and families through mobile clinics, as well as distributing crucial emergency supplies, including mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, jerry cans, clothing, baby kits, and children’s toys.
Leader of World Vision’s global rapid response assessment team in Erbil – Kathryn Taetzsch – said the burden on displaced Iraqis was heartbreaking.
“Everyone we meet just wants to go home, but they can’t,” Ms Taetzsch said. “People are doing their best to take care of each other but they need so much, and they need it quickly.”
As displaced families face a harsh winter, agencies like World Vision are in urgent need of additional funding to scale up assistance to refugees and vulnerable members of host communities.
To donate to the World Vision relief effort please Call 13 32 40 or visit www.worldvision.com.au/emergencies