May 5, 2003

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. - The American Baptist Churches USA World Relief Office has released $10,000 in One Great Hour of Sharing emergency funds to Church World Service in support of that organization's wide-ranging work in relief and redevelopment in Iraq.

Since December 2002 CWS has provided more than $300,000 in school supplies, 4,500 blankets and food and medicine to help meet the needs of Iraqi civilians. Its "All Our Children" campaign has provided wheelchairs, blankets, bedding kits and critically needed hygiene supplies for pediatric and maternity hospitals in Baghdad. During Iraq's recovery and rehabilitation period CWS has pledged to continue to provide supplies, medicine and medical equipment to support child health, as well as educational supplies for schools.

Church World Service is a long-time ecumenical relief and development partner of American Baptist Churches USA. Since 1991 CWS has provided more than $3.8 million in humanitarian assistance for Iraq.

American Baptists wishing to support post-war relief work in Iraq should do so through the usual channels - One Great Hour of Sharing (line 7 of the Monthly Report of Mission Support), designating contributions "OGHS - Post-War Iraq Relief." Those wishing to contribute online can do so by accessing the "American Baptist Missions" or "Give Now" pages of the ABCUSA Web site - www.abc-usa.org.

American Baptist News Service