Relief Arrives in Baghdad

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of 5/8/03)

A humanitarian convoy of vitally needed relief items arrived in Baghdad May 3, according to officials from Catholic Relief Services (CRS). The convoy consisted of two trucks, carrying a load of more than 20 metric tons, with medicines to treat the needs of more than 25,000 people. The convoy’s total value of $336,000 was sponsored by Caritas Internationalis, an international confederation of charitable organizations of the Catholic Church, including CRS.

The convoy originated in Amman, Jordan, entered Iraq early Saturday morning and traveled to the central Caritas warehouse in Baghdad, from where the relief items will be distributed to Caritas centers throughout Iraq to reach the needy. A supply of supplemental food to reach 10,000 malnourished children will be delivered at a later date, as food needs are expected to grow in the upcoming weeks.

The convoy’s supply of medicines includes first aid kits, painkillers and antibiotics to combat infectious diseases, as well as medication for people coping with chronic illnesses, including diabetes, asthma and stress related ailments. Looting inside Iraq has reduced the availability of such medicines.

The sick will also be able to receive treatment at Caritas Iraq’s 14 centers throughout the country and its outreach centers in about 40 schools and churches, where displaced people have sought refuge from the war. The centers include medical teams comprising a medical doctor, health worker and social worker.

Since the outbreak of war on March 19, Caritas Iraq’s staff and volunteers inside Iraq have been providing first aid services to people injured in the bombardments, using medicine and equipment supplied by CRS and other Catholic agencies.

CRS announced an international appeal for $8.3 million in early April to support more than 43,000 displaced families (more than 260,000 people) in Iraq over the next three months. The appeal is sponsored by Caritas Internationalis and implementation began immediately.

CRS is marking its 60th year as the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic community. The agency provides assistance to people in more than 90 countries and territories on the basis of need, not race, creed or nationality.

To contribute to CRS efforts, send donations to: Iraq Humanitarian Response, Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, Md. 21203-7090.

Time to Exhale

Last weekend was a roller coaster ride for our staff from beginning to end. On Sunday alone we covered the Walk for Life at Fort Hunt Park in Alexandria, the Mass for Expectant Parents at St. Bernadette Church in Springfield and the Catholic Schools/Business Partnership Awards Banquet in McLean.

Everyone I talked to last week was in the same predicament. Most parishes held their First Communion services last weekend and Catholic Charities held its Volunteer Awards ceremony at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Arlington. Throw in the CYO track meet at George Mason University, college graduations, some soccer, baseball, softball and basketball games, a long-course swim meet in Manassas and the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester, and you have a recipe for system-overload.

The jubilee Masses for priests and sisters are next week. High school and elementary school graduations, proms and ordinations are just around the corner. And don’t forget to wish mom a happy Mother’s Day this Sunday.— M.F.F.

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