Secretary of State John Kerry announced in March of 2016 that the United States has determined that the Islamic State is carrying out genocide against Christians and other religious groups in the Middle East. “In my judgment, [ISIS] is responsible for genocide against groups in areas under its control including Yazidis, Christians and Shiite Muslims,” Kerry said at the State Department.
In the summer of 2014, the Islamic State captured large areas in Iraq and Syria. As part of those advances, the Islamic State captured many women and children to be sold and used as sex slaves, according to the U.S. and human rights groups. Among them are Christians, Yazidis, and Shiite Muslims.
Catholic Relief Services is helping
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) began assisting Iraqi war victims immediately after the Gulf War in 1991. In 1999, following international sanctions and the call of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, CRS partnered with Caritas Iraq to reinitiate humanitarian programs addressing the growing needs of the Iraqi and Syrian population as well as the surrounding region.
CRS’ humanitarian support to the country continues to be ongoing, with efforts increasing following the escalation of violence in January of 2014, which has uprooted an estimated 3 million people. Many families describe fleeing at a moment’s notice after learning that the Islamic State (IS) was nearing their cities and towns. Civilians of all ethnic and religious backgrounds have been targeted and displaced, including minority communities such as Yazidis, Christians and Turkmen, as well as Shiites and Sunnis. In addition to the massive number of internally displaced Iraqis, the country is hosting some 235,000 refugees from Syria who have sought help, mainly in the northern Kurdistan region. Families in desperate need continue to arrive, straining local resources. In total, approximately 5.2 million people are believed to be in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Nearly half of them are children.
Within the last year, CRS and Caritas Iraq have provided support to nearly 88,000 individuals. This includes critical household items for winter; food assistance; safe shelter; water and sanitation; and child support centers that provide traumatized children with education, play and care.
In addition to the film, Catholic Relief Services has many resources including a Parish Guide; an Overview of Emergency Support of Children; Prayers, and Petitions.
To send aid to those persecuted, you can send a donation to Diocese of La Crosse (with “CRS/Persecuted Christians” on the memo line and mail to: Diocese of La Crosse; Office of Ministries and Social Concerns; P.O. Box 4004; La Crosse, WI 54602-4004
Our Last Stand: One woman’s journey reveal the plight of Christians in Iraq and Syria
This newly produced film helps us better understand the plight of people living in the region.
In Our Last Stand, Helma, an Assyrian-American school teacher from New York, decides to spend her summer vacation traveling to Iraq and Syria to raise awareness about the plight of the Christian communities threatened by civil war and ISIS.
Helma’s journey takes her from refugee camps struggling to care for Christians who have fled ISIS in Northern Iraq, to the small militias helping to defend and retake villages from ISIS in the Nineveh Plains and Hasakah, Syria, to Helma’s family’s hometown of Quamishli in Northern Syria. During her trip, Helma uncovers both heart-breaking and heartwarming stories of grief, despair, persecution, courage and hope as she discovers what it means to sacrifice for her faith and community.
This first-of-its-kind documentary will inform westerners, especially Americans, about the existence of these ancient Christian communities, the threats they face and the crucial role these communities play in the Middle East. By building awareness, Our Last Stand will help American citizens, policy makers and others stand in solidarity with the persecuted. You can read more about the film at ourlaststandfilm.com. The DVD will be out shortly; keep watching their website!