The Assyrian Democratic Organization
By Afram Barryakoub
North-iraq – AINA–
The continuing turmoil in Iraq is preventing international from reaching Assyrians in the Nineveh Plains of north Iraq, which lay close to the restive city of Mosul. This conclusion is drawn by the Dutch fact finding mission that recently visited northern Iraq to investigate the situation of the Assyrian minority (AINA 4-15-2008).
According to the Dutch mission, neither the UNHCR nor the Red Cross operate in the Nineveh Plains, an area mostly inhabited by Assyrians and Assyrian IDPs. Aid to this area is coming only from the Assyrian Aid Society and CAPNI, a Chatholic aid organization.
Red Cross officials said the Nineveh Plains are “too dangerous” to operate in, but they had managed to send food packages there for the first time two weeks ago.
The Dutch delegation has now taken steps to ensure more funds are made available to the Assyrian Aid Society so it can increase its ability to help the IDPs in the Nineveh Plains.
Since 2003, nearly 100,000 Assyrians have fled from Baghdad and Basra to northern Iraq.
