Fleeing for their lives, Iraqi Christian refugees have started to arrive in Jordan from northern Iraq.
The first wave arrived on 13 August, and every day since then more continue to arrive at the rate of 30 to 40 a day; by mid-September, the total is expected to reach 1,000 people.
The government is granting visas for those refugees upon their arrival; transportation is arranged to take them to local churches and convents.
Five churches received the first waves of refugees. They are: Our Lady of Peace on the Airport Road (100 people), the Latin Church in Marka (45 people), the Roman Catholic Church in Marj Al Hamam (70 people), St. Charbel’s Parish (64 people), the Syrian Orthodox Church of St. Aphram in Al-Ashrafiyeh (50 people). Other news arrivals are staying with their relatives until they manage to rent a house.
To respond to this crisis, CNEWA’s office in Jordan is coordinating with our partners — church leaders, clergy, religious women and others — to analyze the situation and draw a plan for the essential needs that may change from one day to another.
In order for the refugees to receive adequate assistance, our immediate support will be given directly to the hosting churches accommodating the refugees and providing them with water, electricity, fuel, furniture, etc. Consequently, this will increase the financial burden on those churches. Additional support will be be directed to the families themselves, as most who arrived in Jordan lack even the most fundamental personal needs, such as clothes, underwear, toothpaste, shampoo, soup, and other hygiene items.
Therefore, it is very important to provide each family with a small amount of cash so they can purchase what they need.
Medicine and healthcare treatment are essential; many require immediate attention, as there are a number of elderly people, handicapped, children and pregnant women. According to the Italian Hospital, most of the health programs of other organizations have been out of operation since July 2014. CNEWA is now carrying the burden of helping both Jordanians and refugees (Iraqis, Syrians and Palestinians) through the Italian hospitals in Amman and Kerak and in other hospitals as needed.
In addition to physical needs, there are psychological ones. Even though some refugees feel more secure, many are still in shock. They do not accept the reality of being displaced from their homes. The children are often terrified. For example, a three-year-old Iraqi girl who recently arrived with her family is suffering frequent panic attacks. Many of these people will need psychological treatment and support. We will be continuying our coordination with the Franciscan Sisters and a psychological specialist. We will also be supporting catechetical programs and psychosocial treatment sessions designed to help these vulnerable families.
There are many questions still to be answered. How long will the refugees be able to stay in the church halls? How long will the churches themselves be able to host them? How long they will stay in Jordan before their resettlement papers are ready? How long will the organizations be able to provide support? From our experience, after a short period, each will start step back due to lack of financial support,leaving the vulnerable people hopeless and helpless.
CNEWA will be supporting churches and helping to bear some of the cost of hosting these Iraqis by providing funds for food, housing, basic furniture, blankets and other necessities, along with medical treatment and psychological support for families who have been so severely traumatized by ISIS. Can you help us help them? Please support our suffering brothers and sisters during this moment of crisis. And please keep them in your prayers!