Iraqi Church leaders and heads of humanitarian organizations urge global action to stem Christian emigration

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — A coalition of Church leaders in Iraq, alongside heads of humanitarian organizations, issued a call to address pressing issues imperiling the Christian community’s presence in the country, warning of an escalating exodus that threatens to leave Iraq devoid of its historical Christian population.

Iraqi Church leaders underscored the critical challenges of corruption, unemployment, and instability driving countless Christians to seek refuge abroad. They urgently appealed for assistance from humanitarian groups and the international community to bolster Christian resilience and stave off further migration.

Chaldean Bishop Mar Bashar Matti Warda, speaking during a gathering with the charitable organization Church in Need, aimed at supporting afflicted Christians worldwide, highlighted the palpable fears gripping Iraq amid the specter of escalating conflict in Gaza. He emphasized the mounting risk of Iraq’s Christian component vanishing from its historical homeland, signaling a dire need for sustained international intervention to avert such a fate.

Father Idris Hanna of Baghdede echoed these sentiments, citing profound exhaustion compounded by a tragic fire that has spurred renewed contemplation of emigration among local residents.

Activist Nouri Kino, leading a charitable organization dedicated to supporting Eastern Churches, outlined efforts to raise global awareness of the plight facing Christians both in their native regions and within the diaspora. Kino revealed plans to present a comprehensive report on the situation at the Religious Freedom Summit in Washington, D.C., urging international lawmakers to implement urgent measures to aid and protect religious minorities affected by adversity.