Middle East Mission Report – Iraq

World Vision, a Christian relief organization fears that an attack on Iraq could result in a potentially disastrous and chaotic humanitarian crisis that would displace missions of people. Rupen Das of World Vision says, "The people of Iraq never recovered from the Gulf War, and the sanctions didn't help. The level of preparedness is even more scary. There's one month of food supply in the country; medicines at the hospital level, about a couple of weeks." However, Das says, humanitarian agencies like World Vision have already started to pre-position emergency supplies and staff; the critical timing of meeting needs leads to open hearts, he continued. "There comes a time in emergencies where just the fact that I am present, and expressing the compassion of Christ is probably the greatest testimony that I can have. And then there are times, when people have asked me, in emergency context, 'So tell me, why are you here?'" The 11,200 committed members of World Vision work throughout 88 countries to serve the 1.3 million children sponsored by the numerous worldwide donors.

By Paulina C.