Food distribution to Iraqis resumed Oct. 7

Food distribution to Iraqis resumed Oct. 7

RICHMOND, Va. — Southern Baptist ministry projects in Iraq resumed Oct. 7 after a five-week delay caused by concerns for the safety of humanitarian workers in the country.

Small-scale delivery of food boxes packed by Southern Baptist churches has been going on, however, and a Southern Baptist worker in the region reports God is using the effort in remarkable ways to help Iraqis understand how much He loves them.

The arrival of Southern Baptist volunteer teams was delayed after information was received that a remnant of Saddam Hussein loyalists in the country were intentionally targeting humanitarian workers for attacks. The Aug. 19 truck-bomb attack on the United Nations offices in Baghdad marked the first time a nonmilitary humanitarian operation had been targeted since Hussein’s regime was overthrown last spring.

But during the past month the vast majority of attacks have occurred after dark and have been directed at military targets, the worker said. Ministry leaders believe risks can be minimized by exercising the right kind of precautions.