Our trip Syria gave us a clear insight regarding the terrible situation of the Iraqi Christian refugees.

We met with Bishop Audo of the Chaldeans, Bishop Yuhanna Ibrahim of the Syrian Orthodox Church, as well as a priest from Der Ibrahim al-Khalil of the Room Catholic church and another from the Church of the East. All are involved in one way or another in helping the Iraqi refugees not only by distributing food parcels, but also in providing subsidised medical clinics, running educational and computer courses as well as training for skills. Most of them are working hand in hand with Caritas, the Middle East Council of Churches, the UN and other charitable organizations.

We met several Iraqi families who in spite of all the help they are receiving, are in desperate situation and need of further support not only financially but also psychologically. Having lost their homes and livelihood and with no work to do they have hard time finding constructive ways of spending their time. The Syrian government considers Iraqis as guests and accept their children in their Schools. However spaces are expectedly limited and many students lag behind in their education.

Every single Iraqi we met asks: what is going to happen to us? Every day they hear of another atrocity and another attack on their clergy and churches. Whether they have financial support or not, all share one dilemma: what is next???

It would be of great value to establish a centre where Iraqis, especially young people can have training in some skills and languages as well as meeting each other socially and for recreation.

Suha Rassam

Faiz Tappouni