Hundreds of thousands of Iraqi Christians face an unprecedented humanitarian crisis after fleeing from ISIS militants who advanced overnight into Christian towns and villages in the Nineveh region. Will you help Barnabas Aid provide our brothers and sisters with aid?
Some of the displaced believers have taken refuge in public buildings, but many have nowhere to go and are stranded in streets and open fields. There is an immediate, urgent need for food, water, mattresses, blankets and hygiene kits.
The Islamist militants overran Qaraqosh, Iraq’s largest Christian-majority town, after pushing back Kurdish troops. A Christian mother and two children were reported killed in the attack on the town. By this morning (7 August), all towns and villages in the Nineveh Plain were under ISIS control. The ISIS fighters raised the black flag of jihad over a church in Telkeif.
At least 200,000 Christians are now thought to be fleeing towards the Iraqi Kurdistan region. Some of the displaced had already fled to the Nineveh plain from Mosul, which was taken by ISIS on 10 June. A number of towns have reportedly been completely emptied of their Christian populations.
Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International Director of Barnabas Aid, pleads “The catastrophe facing the Christians of northern Iraq right now is a tragedy of unbelievable proportions. Barnabas Aid is sending assistance through trusted partners on the ground, who are directly involved with the displaced Christians and able to help immediately. Can you help?”
• For more information and details of how to give, please visit the Barnabas Fund website.
