Mosul Recapture Reveals Growing Refugee Numbers

Psalm 82:3 “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”

For many Americans, this month’s headlines announcing Iraq and coalition forces’ victory over ISIS in Mosul was a grim reminder of the war in Iraq. While many have assumed the worst is over, stark evidence points to a lingering and unsettling truth. With massive areas of Mosul uninhabitable, the rebuilding and resettlement will take time, resources and courage. Refugees have tough decisions to make. Officials estimate only 40-50% will go back to their homes, 15-25% will emigrate out of the country and the rest will settle in areas of Kurdistan. With an economy devastated by decades of war and recent plummeting oil prices, refugees struggle to find normalcy.

Almost 1 million refugees left Mosul since the offensive to recapture Mosul began in October 2016, bringing the number to 3.2 to 3.4 million displaced Iraqis. Whatever your thoughts are about this crisis, would you pray for us and the national Believers on the front lines? If you feel led to help, give as generously as you can, and we will continue to ask the Lord to multiply the resources to help refugees. To donate click the Donate Button on the right and select Iraq Relief  in the drop down menu.