IRAQ -- Church World Service is providing water and medical clinic to one of the poorest region in Baghdad Hai Tarek under the campaign of “All Our Children.”

Through the water and health clinic projects funded by “All Our Children” campaign, CWS is improving the lives of the residents in Hai Tarek where most people don’t have jobs and where eight out of ten people are children, CWS reported.

Besides water and health clinic, “All Our Children” will provide interchurch Medical Assistance medicine boxes full of three months supply of basic medicines, to 5,000 people. Later this year, children at a Hai Tarek school will receive some of the 13,160 CWS “Gift of the Heat” School Kits, including 16,450 “Gift of the Heart” Health Kits.

Being aware of the poor medical conditions in Iraq, Mazen Mohsen, an Iraqi physician said, these efforts must continue, given the ongoing medical problems in Iraq that stem from long-term neglect and the past imposition of international sanctions. He also warned that if not corrected shortly, Iraq might face health crisis in the near future.

CWS’ services are not only limited to outside countries but the ministry also reaches out to people in the U.S. as well. CWS sponsored Interfaith Trauma Response Training (ITRT) program in January, offering two workshops – “Caring for Caregivers; Long-Term Challenges After a Disaster” Jan. 21 at the Presbytery Center in Commack, Long Island and the second held Jan. 23 in Manhattan, focusing on distress following a disaster and how one can overcome it and how you can provide care to others who have suffered through a disaster.

CWS reports that the training program is designed to help religious leaders and caregivers gain insight into addressing the psychological and theological impact of large-scale public trauma.

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About Church World Service

Founded in 1946, Church World Service is the relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations in the United States. Working in partnership with indigenous organizations in more than 80 countries, CWS works worldwide to meet human needs and foster self-reliance for all whose way is hard.

Within the United States, Church World Service assists communities in responding to disasters, resettles refugees, promotes fair national and international policies, provides educational resources, and offers opportunities to join a people-to-people network of local and global caring through participation in CROP WALKS, the TOOLS OF HOPE & BLANKET Program, and the “Gift of the Heart” Kit Program.

www.churchworldservice.org