Please see below link to personal interview with Archbishop Eamon from Batnaya, norther Iraq

Archbishop Eamon Martin has urged the public to support Trócaire’s Christmas 2018 Appeal during his meetings this week in Iraq with families who are being helped by the Trócaire.

Archbishop Martin is currently in Iraq to visit families displaced by conflict in the region. The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland has met with families who are receiving humanitarian support from Trócaire and he is encouraging people in Ireland to continue to support relief efforts this Christmas.

Speaking from northern Iraq Archbishop Martin said, “Conflict in Iraq and the wider Middle East has seen millions of people lose their homes and livelihoods. They are forced to flee and take refuge where they can find it. It is humbling to spend time with these families, and heartening to learn how the generosity of people in Ireland is helping them to survive.

“The work Trócaire does here in Iraq, as well as around the world, eases people’s suffering and allows them to dream of brighter days ahead. It is incredibly powerful to see this work in action. Trócaire’s Christmas Appeal focuses on bringing aid and relief to people trapped in conflict around the world. Whether that is in Iraq, Yemen, South Sudan or elsewhere, these people need and deserve our love and compassion.

“I would encourage people in Ireland to support Trócaire’s Christmas Appeal. Even small donations can make a big difference to people whose lives have been shattered by conflict.”

Trócaire’s Christmas 2018 Appeal can be supported on www.trocaire.org/christmas. This year’s appeal focuses on the plight of those affected by conflict in Yemen, South Sudan and in other countries to enable it to respond to hunger crises, displacement, conflict and human rights abuses.

ENDS

Please see the following short interview with Archbishop Eamon Martin speaking from the decimated town of Batnaya on the Nineveh Plains of northern Iraq. Archbishop Martin is in northern Iraq this week with the chief executive of Trócaire, Caoimhe de Barra, and its director of international division, Seán Farrell to support the charity’s Christmas 2018 Appeal. Due to conflict in recent years the town has endured much physical destruction and this has caused the massive displacement of many families: https://youtu.be/r0W8Dk0JLEU

For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Katie Crosby 00353 (0) 86 862 3298