Baltimore, March 18, 2004 - One
year after the war in Iraq began and as violence in the streets increasingly
targets civilians, Lutheran World Relief and its partners are launching
a new project to aid street children in Baghdad. The project, which depends
on local organizations and staff, will repair a shelter that provides street
children in north Baghdad with protection, education and good hygiene.
Civilians, mostly Iraqis but including
foreign aid workers and church personnel, are the target of a wave of shootings
and bombings in Iraq as the war anniversary approaches. LWR is proceeding
with its assistance as long as Iraqi partner staff - medical, relief and
technical workers - are able to work and are accepted in the communities
where they work.
"Since before the war, LWR's aid for Iraq has focused on the critical health needs of some of Iraq's most vulnerable children," said LWR President Kathryn Wolford. "We reach them in a way that is possible despite the conflict there. We support small, local projects that have credibility and a good track record with the local community."
The projects are part of a campaign for Iraq called "All Our Children." Nearly one million dollars has been raised by six U.S. member agencies to open storefront clinics and supply clean water in impoverished communities, make critical repairs at children's hospitals, provide fresh food to hospital patients and buy hospital beds. LWR has also provided a half million dollars worth of school kits, health kits and bedding for schools, homes for the elderly and refugee camps.