- William Warda and Riyath Shaan meet Father Stephanos Abu Al-Asali.
- Father Abu al-Asali: There are more than (1,000) Syrian Christian families residing in Erbil, and 80% of them live in difficult living conditions.
On 20/8/2022 Mr. William Warda, Head of the Public Relations Committee of Hammurabi Human Rights Organization, and Mr. Riyath Shaan, Head of Hammurabi Human Rights Organization’s Branch in Erbil met Father Stephanos Abu al-Asali, in Erbil – Ankawa.
Father Abu al-Asali, who spiritually sponsors the affairs of Syrian refugees in Erbil, welcomed the delegation of Hammurabi Organization at his headquarters in the ancient Assyrian Church of the East in Ainkawa. Mr. William Warda gave a brief overview of Hammurabi Organization and the projects carried out for Syrian refugees after their ordeal since 2011, and the massive influx to Iraq. Mr. Warda expressed the organization readiness to assist Syrian refugees, especially children, adding that programs will be prepared with the advent of the winter season and Christmas celebrations.
For his part, Father Abu al-Asali expressed the extent of the Syrians suffering due to instability and continuous waves of migration for economic reasons in the first place and the continuation of tension in the mother country expressing his willingness for cooperation with Hammurabi Organization in the field of service and assistance to this marginalized group. Father Al-Asali emphasized on providing statistics on Syrian children in need of assistance, expressing that there are more than (1,000) Syrian Christian families currently residing in Erbil, and that 80% of them live in difficult living conditions, and that his church sponsors up to (200) Syrian children through Christian upbringing and education. According to official statistics, more than 250 thousand Syrian refugees currently reside in Erbil.