IRAQ ACTION DAYS: 3 Ways You Can Help

"I have only praise. It was the best organized event I attended. I went home feeling well briefed, empowered and more effective." - Sister Ann Marie, OP, participant of Iraq Action Days

I am pleased to report back to you the resounding success of IRAQ ACTION DAYS in furthering our fight to help millions of Iraqis in need of humanitarian relief and protection.

From April 14th-16th we were joined by hundreds of concerned constituents from across the U.S. and leading experts just back from Iraq and the Middle East. We began with an all-day national Iraq Forum at George Washington University attended by more than 220 concerned citizens, NGO colleagues and government officials. Photos, video highlights and media coverage are now available at www.IraqActionDays.org

IRAQ ACTION DAYS would not have been possible without the generosity and energy of EPIC supporters and readers like you. Thank you!

The forum was followed by two days of meetings on Capitol Hill to urge lawmakers to do far more to help Iraqi civilians who are displaced or otherwise affected by violence in Iraq. On Tuesday, April 15th and Wednesday, April 16th we were joined by 22 NGO colleagues and 57 constituents representing 15 states and 40 congressional districts from across the country. Our case was strengthened by the participation of Iraq War veterans, resettlement and aid workers, Dominican sisters from 12 different congregations, recently resettled Iraqi refugees, doctors, students and homemakers.

Right now we need YOU to help us build on the momentum of IRAQ ACTION DAYS. Here are 3 simple ways to join the fight to help millions of Iraqis in need of humanitarian relief and protection.

• If you have not already done so, sign Our Humanitarian Pledge and share it with friends.
  

• Call your Senators and Representative via the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 225-3121 and urge them to strengthen humanitarian aid to Iraqi refugees and vulnerable civilians left behind in Iraq, improve assistance to countries hosting hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees in the region, and ensure that the U.S. resettles a substantial number of Iraqi refugees. Because of the scale and urgency of the crisis, the upcoming supplemental is the next best opportunity to provide lifesaving assistance. For more information on what Congress can do, read our NGO letter (PDF), Backgrounder (PDF) and other resources posted in our Reading Room.

• Support an organization taking humanitarian action through advocacy and direct aid efforts. If you donate, please be sure to let the beneficiary know that EPIC sent you.

Together we can strengthen the U.S. and international response to Iraq's humanitarian crisis, and as we help Iraqis survive, rebuild their lives, and reclaim their country, we are planting the seeds of sustainable peace, development and self-determination for all Iraqis.

Photo caption: Iraqi Ambassador Samir Sumaida'ie addresses crowd of hundreds at National Forum to Respond to the Humanitarian Crisis facing Iraqis.