Media CenterCRS and Caritas Iraq Respond to Help Thousands Fleeing Fighting in Fallujah

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and its partner Caritas Iraq are jointly responding to the needs of tens of thousands of people forced to flee their homes in Fallujah by fighting between forces of the Iraqi government and fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Through a partnership with two Sunni organizations—the Sunni Endowment and the Zakat Institution—CRS and Caritas have quickly provided food and other supplies to more than 1,000 families. 

A woman receives emergency household items at a distribution by Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Iraq to assist people fleeing violence in Fallujah. Photo courtesy of Caritas Iraq

“The situation is desperate,” says Hani El-Mahdi, who runs CRS’ programming in Iraq. “These people are living out in the open without food or shelter from the extreme temperatures. They need food and water. But more than anything, they need relief from the suffering.” 

An estimated 75-80,000 Iraqis have fled Fallujah, a city located about 40 miles west of Baghdad, to the surrounding area; more are expected to flee in coming days.  The United Nations and the Iraqi government have set up area camps to help, but the needs of this massive influx are far surpassing those efforts.

In the coming days, CRS staff will be on the ground in the affected areas to see what additional support can be provided.