IOCC Delivers Emergency Food Supplies to Children in Gaza

INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES (IOCC)
110 West Road, Suite 360, Baltimore, Md. 21204
Tel: (410) 243-9820 - Fax: (410) 243-9824
Web: www.iocc.org - E-mail: news@iocc.org

January 9, 2008

For Immediate Release

IOCC Delivers Emergency Food Supplies to Children in Gaza

(Baltimore, MD) International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is providing fortified biscuits and milk for about 23,000 children in Gaza. IOCC expects to deliver these supplies by Saturday to the southern areas of Khan Yunis and Rafah. The conflict, now in its second week, has displaced more than 20,000 people from their homes.

IOCC will also provide a shipment of quilts to Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza City. East Jerusalem YMCA, a long time partner, will assist in delivering IOCC supplies. While news agencies are reporting that forces have agreed to suspend fighting for three hours each day to allow humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip, it still remains dangerous to move supplies.

IOCC has been working in cooperation with Action by Churches Together (ACT) member agencies to coordinate a response to the current crisis. Since 1997, IOCC has implemented a variety of educational, employment and school repair programs in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.

Help IOCC speed relief to families who have been caught in this conflict. Visit www.iocc.org, call IOCC toll free at 1-877-803-4622, or mail a check or money order payable to "IOCC" and write "Middle East Relief" in the memo line to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.

IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), has implemented over $275 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.

Media: Contact Amal Morcos at 410-243-9820 or (cell) 443-823-3489.