HOTLINE - week of October 01, 2007

"We have a humanitarian problem that will not go away quickly," says John Distenfano, of Action by Churches Together-Caritas, the coalition of which Church World Service is a member. Supported by CWS and others, the ACT-Caritas Darfur Emergency Response Operation is working to alleviate the suffering of the families caught in widespread violence in Darfur.

Mariam, a 40-year-old mother and grandmother, is among the four million people who are now dependent on some form of humanitarian assistance in Darfur. Eight months ago she was forced to flee her village during an attack that killed her husband and son-in-law. Now, Mariam is struggling to provide for her young household, five children and one grandchild, in the camp where she has taken refuge.

Mariam's story is typical. The UN reports that Darfur is experiencing a fresh cycle of violence and increased insecurity, and with more families becoming displaced, the need for assistance is greater than ever.

Throughout nearly five-years of government-sponsored violence in Darfur, CWS and coalition partners have been working to provide vital assistance to families who have fled the violence. Efforts include shelter, clean water and sanitation, training in improved hygiene, environmental education, and helping build schools and health clinics. Monetary contributions are urgently needed--please give generously.

Eighty adults are learning to read and write, gaining life skills, becoming empowered to overcome obstacles facing their families and the community, thanks to a new literacy center in Chali, Mozambique.

For many Mozambicans, education was disrupted during the nation's long civil war, but their desire to learn continues. In Chali, the National Institute of Social Action is creating the new literacy center. Church World Service is providing school equipment for the project, including student desks, teacher desks, and other furniture.

Along with literacy, the students are learning and gaining skills needed to forge better lives for their families. This community-based effort is a sign that times are changing--and for the better.

With more than 60 years experience in refugee protection and resettlement, CWS remains deeply concerned for the 2.2 million Iraqis who have fled widespread violence in their country and the additional two million who have been displaced within their country by continuing violence. Many of these people served alongside U.S. troops and are being targeted because of their efforts to aid the U.S., while others are being targeted for violence because of their religion, ethnicity, or profession.

CWS believes the U.S. has an obligation to protect people fleeing the fighting in Iraq by ensuring humanitarian assistance to refugees and internally displaced families, and offering resettlement in the U.S. for those for whom that is the only safe option.

Speak out with CWS and other concerned individuals on behalf of Iraqis who need resettlement. Visit http://capwiz.com/churchworld/issues/?style=D today to advocate for Iraqi resettlement and other important development and humanitarian issues worldwide.

Your prayers and support - and your participation in CROP WALKS and the TOOLS & BLANKETS Program - make possible these and other life sustaining programs. For information on how to get involved, please call your Church World Service/CROP Regional Office toll-free at 1-888-CWS-CROP, that's 1-888-297-2767.

For information about free loan videos, please call 1-800-297-1516, ext. 338, or e-mail us at: videos@churchworldservice.org.

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