Vic: Religious groups launch Iraq aid appeal

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-2004
Vic: Religious groups launch Iraq aid appeal

MELBOURNE, April 8 AAP - The political debate on the Iraq war should return to reconstruction
and the welfare of Iraqi people, a religious leader said in Melbourne today.

Anglican bishop Phillip Huggins made the comments at the launch of a multi-denominational
appeal to raise money for relief services in the war-torn country.

"We think the issue of whether the troops come and go is not the whole question," he said.

"The real question is together, how can we assist the construction of Iraq, and we
hope this initiative will encourage a bigger and stronger and clearer debate in the Australian
community on this issue."

Women and children in Iraq will benefit from the multi-million-dollar appeal, to be
run by the Muslim and Christian communities for about seven weeks from Easter.

Aid agencies including Anglican relief agency Anglicord and Catholic relief group Caritas
Australia will use the proceeds to aid civilians.

Bishop Huggins said he could not specify a total target figure, but said it was hoped
the Christian community alone could raise more than $2 million.

"We have a huge moral responsibility, after all that has gone on, to assist with the
reconstruction of Iraq, and in particular give assistance to children that are traumatised
and families that are grieving," he said.

Caritas Australia spokesman Justin McInerney said the appeal was in response to enormous
suffering in Iraq.

Mr McInerney said years of war and UN-imposed sanctions had harmed many people.

He said UNICEF estimates showed these conditions had led to 1.3 million Iraqi children
being malnourished and that one in four Iraqi babies were born underweight because of
maternal malnutrition.

He said Caritas Iraq worked with other agencies to provide about 40 health care centres
to assist with civilian casualties and a baby wellbeing program, with 65,000 babies and
lactating mothers treated.

Islamic Council of Victoria president Yasser Soliman said it was a good sign that different
religions could work for a common goal.

"This sends a positive message, perhaps not yet sent, on behalf of the Australian people
from different backgrounds working together for the people of Iraq, that there's good
will shared for them and that we care for their welfare," he said.

"We invite other communities to come on board in partnership and be involved in this
appeal and collection."

People can support the appeal through churches and mosques.

AAP jrd/gfr/drp/jlw/

KEYWORD: IRAQ AUST APPEAL

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