Letter From UMCOR About Iraq

March 20, 2003

Dear Friends:

The United Methodist Church through UMCOR is actively involved with our ecumenical partners in responding to the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people. Decisions and actions by the leadership of Iraq as well as external forces have caused the people great hardship. Now that war has begun, the situation is even more grave. One major problem is that there are no longer any United Nations staff available to administer the Food for Oil program on which 60% of the population depended for food. The great majority of women and children are at risk.

Before the conflict began, our United Methodist leadership spoke out about the added human and relationship consequences of war. The bishops of the church hoped for and asked for an opportunity to meet directly with the President to discuss the issues. There was no response from the White House. Many other means have been used to let our leaders and the world know about our denomination's social and theological policies about war.

I write now to let you know that since the war is bringing even more hardship on our brothers and sisters, the Iraqi people, we are redoubling our resolve and our commitment to meet some of their needs. The areas of work in which UMCOR is likely to be engaged through our partners will be pediatric and maternal health care, general health care, food and shelter. UMCOR is already engaged by providing one of the three staff for the Amman, Jordan, communications capacity for all the denominations of the World Council Of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation. The churches of the world, and their humanitarian agencies, need direct and unfiltered information on which to plan their humanitarian responses. UMCOR is one of the three that is providing that service for them all. The ecumenical partnership with which we work has organized its efforts specifically to respond to this emergency. While work among the ordinary Iraqi people has never been easy, the problems of increased security and safety measures make it even more difficult. We are glad to be carrying out this mission with ecumenical partners so that our combined experience in this situation can serve all of us, especially those most in need.

Among those in need of our prayers and support are also, of course, the men and women of our Armed Forces who are now commanded to carry the battle in the name of our country. The church will continue to offer support to them and admonish our people to hold them, too, in our prayers.

We know from past experience that the rebuilding of lives and support systems as well as providing basic needs of the Iraqi people will be a long and arduous process. We are committed to being there not only in the present situation but for months and years in the future. You can help provide that presence by your earnest prayers and your generous gifts to the Iraq Emergency Advance, #623225-4. Thank you for your response to this and the many needs of our neighbors near and far.

Gratefully,

   Paul Dirdak, Deputy General Secretary,
   United Methodist Committee on Relief