Iraq Aid is for Basic Needs Two Months After War

Baltimore, June 9, 2003 — Two months after the fall of Baghdad, Lutheran World Relief and its partners in Iraq continue to focus on basic needs such as the health of vulnerable children, water projects and emergency supplies.

LWR is supporting small clinics in impoverished communities to fight chronic disease and malnutrition and helping provide food, medical care and social workers to street children, as part of the million-dollar initiative called 'All Our Children.'

In addition, clean drinking water, refurbished water systems, a border refugee camp and food and household items for needy families identified by Iraqi parishes are the focus of Action by Churches Together, the international emergency alliance that includes LWR.

Before the war LWR and members of the ACT alliance helped parishes prepare emergency shelters. Some took in hundreds of people when fighting drew near. Pre-war 'All Our Children' funds provided medicines, medical supplies and hygienic soaps for pediatric hospitals in Baghdad and clinics around Iraq. During the war, one project helped repair and protect equipment at four children's hospitals and another used a Baghdad parish as a place to keep vital pharmaceuticals safe from bombs and looters. Immediately after the war, the special fund helped hospital patients and unpaid staff with fresh food, dry foods and much-needed supplies, including hundreds of beds to replace those stolen by looters.

Contributions so far to the people-to-people, inter-agency fund total half a million dollars so far.