Since August 2014, World Renew has been working with local partners in Iraqi to respond to the needs of hurting families who have fled horrific violence caused by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. This humanitarian outreach has just received an additional $1 million in support thanks to a contribution from the Canadian Government’s International Humanitarian Assistance Directorate.
Through this support, World Renew will partner with Medair to provide immediate health care services to 24,000 people in the Sharya refugee camp in the Duhok governorate of the Kurdistan region of Iraq.
Sharya camp opened in November 2014 with a maximum capacity to host 24,000 internally displaced people (IDPs). It is already full, but meeting the needs of this growing population has been difficult. For example, the town medical clinic extended its hours after the camp opened, but still is unable to cover the urgently needed health services of people in the camp.
The crowded conditions and poor water and sanitation infrastructure of the camp has also put people at high risk for disease outbreaks such as measles, polio, hepatitis and cholera. Because families are dependent on scarce rations, many children are at increased risk of malnutrition. People with chronic conditions are also experiencing an increase in complications since they are unable to access the health services and medications they need.
In response to these needs, World Renew and Medair have coordinated with the Directorate of Health of Duhok to provide health care in Sharya camp. Together, they hope to ensure the continuous and extended provision of primary health care services including emergency care, routine vaccinations, and outpatient services. Included in this outreach will be comprehensive services for women who have been subject to violence, as well as specific medical care for pregnant women and children.
“The needs of innocent people violently displaced from their homes as a result of ISIS are monumental. The sheer magnitude of the mass displacement creates numerous health issues in an emergency,” explained Ken Little, Senior Program Manager. “There are desperate health and medical needs in the Sharya camp in particular. World Renew and Medair are working together to ensure that these 24,000 people are reached with care for acute and chronic health conditions, that outbreaks of disease are contained, and that people have nutritional knowledge especially for children who are most vulnerable in emergencies. Please pray for the people of Iraq, that they may one day be able to return to their homelands.”
In addition to this response, World Renew is continuing to partner with an Iraqi organization called Hope, Peace and Joy to provide food packages, psychosocial support health care and rental assistance to displaced families. World Renew is also partnering with Insaf Safou to lead psycho-spiritual healing conferences for women affected by this conflict.
Please pray for World Renew’s response in Iraq with all three of these dedicated partners, that we may effectively share Christ’s love with our brothers and sisters who have been traumatized and displaced. Pray that they may find healing and hope.
