While many governments are continuing to ignore the plight of Iraqi refugees, WER is increasing the provision of humanitarian aid to local partner agencies in Jordan and Syria who are working with Iraqi refugee families in the region.

A further shipment of aid left the UK this week bound for Amman, Jordan, where it will be distributed among Iraqi refugee communities, estimated to number over 700,000 in Jordan alone and with more arriving daily. UNHCR estimates that around 2 million people have now fled the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

Alex Haxton, WER UK Director of Operations, comments, "At a time when the news is of the withdrawal of British troop from Iraq, the reality is that hundreds of thousands of refugees from the ongoing fighting are receiving minimal help, or none at all in many cases. Conditions for the refugees are desperate and many are without any formal legal status within the countries they have fled to.

As a small charity, we do not have huge resources, but we are committed to help and make a difference. This is in effect a 'hidden crisis' which must not be ignored by governments, the media and larger international charities."

Since November 2006, WER, working together with Scottish charity Glasgow the Caring City, has shipped 4 containers of humanitarian aid to the value of approx £500,000 to Jordan. These have been distributed through WER's local partner agency, IOMERD, to Iraqi refugee families, as well as Jordanian families who are suffering similar levels of hardship due to the current economic climate in Jordan. WER has also released funds to IOMERD for aid distribution logistics.

To make a donation to support WER's work, or for more information, please visit www.wer-uk.org or call WER today on 0870 429 2129.

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