BALTIMORE, March 19, 2003 - There
are an estimated 60,000 third country nationals (TCNs)-most of whom are
Egyptian-and a smaller number of Iraqi refugees expected to enter Jordan
in the event of an American-led offensive in Iraq.
To deal with this looming crisis, World
Relief has facilitated a partnership with several other faith-based relief
and development agencies to mobilize and equip Jordanian churches to deliver
aid to suffering TCNs and refugees.
"While other agencies try to establish a presence in the region, the Church is already established-and ready to show the compassion of Christ," said Gustavo Crocker, World Relief's senior vice president of programs.
World Relief is supporting the Jordanian Evangelical Community for Relief and Development (JECRaD), a vast network of Jordanian churches that will be providing food for a TCN camp near the town of Ruwayshid.
It is estimated that 20,000 TCNs could potentially reside at the camp at one time. Due to the physical constraints of the isolated, desert location and the transitory nature of the camp, TCNs will be given prepared meals rather than dry rations.
For nearly 60 years, World Relief has worked with local churches to create sustainable solutions that help the desperately poor. Operating in more than 20 countries and 26 cities in the U.S., World Relief's programs include disaster relief, refugee assistance, AIDS ministries, urban ministries, community health, agricultural development, and community banking.
For interviews please contact Matthew Pugh at 443-451-1966 or by email at mpugh@wr.org.