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No COVID-19 Cases In Camp Rukban. By Alice Seeley Published On September 1, 2020 Ten miles away from an American military base in Syria is Camp Rukban. Here 8,000 refugees are starving and isolated from the outside world. The only good news amidst this horrible situation is the zero cases of COVID- 19 in the camp. Camp Rukban used to be home to over 30,000 people, who fled there from all parts of Syria. Thousands of refugees have since returned to their wartorn homes –where they face detention, torture, or execution. Surviving off of smuggled bits of food, the remaining refugees are begging the outside world for help. But they have received very little aid. Despite this, the Jordanian government has continued to admit more refugees to Rukban, without increasing food or aid. Doing this means there is a high risk of COVID-19 spreading in the camp. These refugees are in desperate need of assistance. The pandemic has spared them so far— but because of the dire situation and the influx of refugees, their luck may soon run out. ​ The American Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East assists Syrian refugees in Kurdistan, Jordan, and other countries where they have fled. It also works with the Syrian Orthodox Church in Amman to assist Syrian Orthodox Christian refugees from Iraq. The organization and its partners assist these individuals by providing life-saving humanitarian assistance, to help them overcome horrific circumstances and obtain a better life. These resources are made possible by the generous donations of faithful donors. ​ American FRRME is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes reconciliation, provides relief efforts, advances human rights, and seeks an end to sectarian violence in the Middle East. ​ To make a donation to American FRRME , please visit https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/frrmeamerica?code=WebsiteGeneral COVID-19 Aids ISIS By Alice Seeley Published On June 10, 2020 COVID-19 has created suffering across the world but has helped one group. The Islamic State militant group (ISIS) has used the virus to its advantage as it seeks to increase its hold in the Middle East. Christians in the Middle East have faced decades of persecution. Recently, ISIS has been their main persecutor, with its attempts to annihilate the Christian and Yazidis communities. ISIS moved rapidly a half-decade ago, taking town after town. Gains have been made against ISIS in the last few years. However, COVID-19 has now forced security forces to turn their attention to battling the virus and imposing curfews, which has helped ISIS. For example, recent reports show the terrorist group has used the COVID-19 pandemic to its advantage by tripling their attacks in the area of Kirkuk, Iraq. ​ Iraqi Christians are already in a difficult situation. The recent increase of ISIS activity, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, has increased this hardship. ​ Nineveh SEED (Sustainable Enterprise Economic Development) is an initiative designed to help Iraqi Christians whose homes and businesses were destroyed by ISIS get back on their feet. Nineveh SEED revitalizes villages in the Nineveh Plain in northern Iraq by creating jobs. It is funded by the American Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East and made possible by your generous donations. American FRRME is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that promotes reconciliation, provides relief efforts, advances human rights, and seeks an end to sectarian violence in the Middle East. ​ To make a donation to American FRRME, please visit https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/frrmeamerica?code=WebsiteGeneral Update on COVID-19 in Jordan By Alice Seeley Published On June 5, 2020 The country of Jordan has taken immediate action concerning COVID-19. It has responded to this crisis by having all its borders closed including airports, ports, and ground crossing gates, the exceptions being cargo flights and transport. Jordan has had complete closure of all educational institutions and a ban on gatherings. A mandatory curfew has been set from 6 pm to 10 am, which has been enforced strictly. The reported rates of COVID-19 are lower than the neighboring countries due to these restrictions. Jordan has outstanding medical professional capabilities for the Middle Eastern region. It has 16,000 inpatient hospital beds, and 1600 respirators. The Jordanian healthcare system did face a shortage of testing kits for those who suspected they might have COVID-19 but was fortunate to receive 100,000 donated testing kits. This increased the country’s testing capacity. Jordan has recorded that more than 180,000 tests were used. Testing did take place in refugees’ camps, such as the Zaatari and Azraq camps. These camps very rarely have running water and bare health care necessities to ensure proper hygiene. Hygiene kits have been provided to refugees at this time which has helped slow down the spread of COVID-19. ​ The currently confirmed case number in Jordan is 746 confirmed cases, 535 confirmed recoveries, and 9 confirmed deaths. Currently, restrictions are being gradually lifted for the betterment of the society and economy. The American Foundation for Relief & Reconciliation in the Middle East has provided life-saving hygiene articles to persecuted Christians and other religious refugees at this desperate time, due to your generous donations. Please donate to help us continue providing care to these refugees. ​ American FRRME is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes reconciliation, provides relief efforts, advances human rights, and seeks an end to sectarian violence in the Middle East. ​ To make a donation to American FRRME, please visit https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/frrmeamerica?code=WebsiteGeneral The Impact of COVID-19 on the Middle East By Alice Seeley Published On May 7, 2020 Coronavirus has devastated China, caused havoc in Italy, and shut down the U.S. and most of the Western World. But few countries are as vulnerable to this global bug as those of the Middle East. The virus arrived in Iran in late February. By March, despite spreading into other countries, the case number remained low. Now, like the rest of the world, the Middle East suffers from thousands of new cases a day. And in this region, the effort to stop COVID19’s spread is impacted by civil wars, unstable governments, and refugees who have nowhere to go. ​ As of April 30, 2020, there are 73,993 confirmed cases in the Middle East. While Turkey is the hotspot for the virus in the region, the situation in Syria is especially alarming. Syria has millions of refugees and refugee camps that make social distancing impossible. People and families are being told there is no way to test for the virus. And to complicate an already challenging situation, far-right militants in Turkey have cut off the water supply for 460,000 people. ​ Due to the pandemic, the region’s economy is suffering greatly. With the borders closed, countries such as Egypt that rely heavily on tourist revenue are troubled. Sinking oil prices are another great economic burden, since it is the main export for some of the countries in this region. COVID-19 has affected everyone, but persecuted Christians and other refugees are among those most affected. With borders closed, some refugee boats are currently stranded at sea, waiting for a country to let them in. Refugees in camps are also greatly impacted. As in Syria, millions of persecuted Christians and other religious refugees across the Middle East are without necessities right now. Moreover, and cause for further alarm, it has been reported that refugee camps lack even the most basic hygiene necessities, such as running water and soap. In the West, being without these basic necessities, even in a pandemic, is very rare. Sadly, that is not the case for much of the Middle East. In places like Syria, Jordan, and Iran, being without soap, water, and toilet paper is the norm. Your donation will help The American Foundation for Relief & Reconciliation in the Middle East provide life-saving hygiene articles to persecuted Christians and other religious refugees at this desperate time. ​ American FRRME is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes reconciliation, provides relief efforts, advances human rights, and seeks an end to sectarian violence in the Middle East. ​ To make a donation to American FRRME, please visit https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/frrmeamerica?code=WebsiteGeneral

A beacon of hope, help, and healing By Alice Seeley Published On September 1, 2021 Did you know that Christians are the minority of the minorities in Baghdad? “I worry for the future of the Christians in Iraq. I pray that God will save us from what could happen in the future,” said Canon Faez Jirees, the only Anglican priest in Baghdad. Christians have fewer rights than other citizens and are the most vulnerable population in Baghdad. ​ Then the COVID pandemic hit… ​ “The situation for Christians in Baghdad was bad,” says Faez, “then the Coronavirus made it worse. We were working hard at St George’s Medical Clinic to improve the situation, but the virus restricted our work.” ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ St. George’s Medical Clinic treats 2,000 patients each month for FREE! The pandemic restricted the work of the clinic, yet, at great risk to themselves, the medical team pressed on. This clinic is only made possible through your support! ​ As scripture says: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”(Philippians 2:4) ​ Can you help St. George’s continue their work? Your donations will help provide FREE medical care to the poor and the sick of Baghdad, including widows, children, and the disabled.

Meet Azad By Keely Jahns Published On July 7, 2022 Azad is a refugee from Mosul. In Mosul and Qaraqosh, he worked as a formwork carpenter in housing construction. He and his family lived comfortably when Azad’s carpentry business was booming. Like many families, when there wasn’t enough work, they had to squeeze to get by; but they were still living happy, peaceful lives. ​ “If we had work, we were fine. If not, we stayed home. The conditions were fine until ISIS appeared,” said Azad. ​ When ISIS invaded Northern Iraq, Azad and his three children, Haneen, Andy, and Maryam, were forced to leave Iraq and flee to Jordan. ​ “The day we left Qaraqosh, we had another family in the car with my family, my sister and her four children. We all had to get inside my car, and nine people could barely fit. The road was overcrowded with cars. Normally it takes one hour to travel to Erbil, but this trip took 11 hours. A road designed for only two cars had to fit 11 or 12 going across at once. It was really awful.” Azad and his family settled in Madaba, Jordan as refugees. As Iraqi refugees, they are not allowed to work for a wage. Their ability to survive depends on organizations like American FRRME and the Olive Tree Center. ​ After having his livelihood taken, Azad needed to find purpose again. As a carpenter and handyman, also with agricultural experience, Azad’s skills have been indispensable to the Olive Tree Center. Azad is now the gardener at the center, and is participating in the programs and classes that the OTC offers refugees living in Madaba. ​ “When I came here, I was very happy, because there are two things that I love a lot, farming and carpentry. My father had an orchard over 30 years ago, and when Um Rama told me the Olive Tree Center needs a farmer, I was really excited and told her I love farming.” ​ Azad’s hard work has also helped to supply the local community with fresh produce. “We’ve grown crops, and distributed them to Iraqi refugees, and they were extremely happy. My routine after all these years, I get up and have breakfast, and come to work in the center. I’m ready to help the refugee community as much as I can, and they know that.” ​ The center gives Azad and the other men a renewed purpose through gardening and carpentry projects, and helps develop job skills for when they can finally leave Jordan. Azad is now passing on his gardening skills to the other men, including his son, Andy. Andy has been able to participate in the music programs at the center, and has experienced a new richness in his walk with God through the adversity he has overcome: ​ “I want to thank the Center for giving me the opportunity to learn piano. Now I’m learning to play the guitar. My dream is to be a soccer player. Being able to emigrate to a country like Australia would allow me to have a fulfilling future. Because in Iraq I couldn’t achieve my dream, so I find here better than Iraq. My faith has been firm since ISIS, and even before ISIS, my faith was steadfast. My faith didn’t change. I walk with God.” ​ Azad and his family are still waiting in Jordan, struggling to get by as best they can. They, and countless refugees like them, need the hope, help, and healing that American FRRME helps to provide. Join our mission. You can watch Azad’s story, and others like it, at our Youtube channel: ​ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkfEqSojqPe1lGmjP12jojg ​ AZAD’S STORY: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_ZhUbJhtWI

Meet Um Rama By Alice Seeley Published On May 31, 2021 Sylvia, also known as Um Rama, is a Jordanian Christian who has dedicated her life to serving others. In 2014, Sylvia’s eyes were opened to the suffering of her Christian brothers and sisters fleeing ISIS. ​ “I heard about the Iraqi brothers and sisters who fled from ISIS,” she said. “I prayed for them and asked God to show me how to serve them.” ​ She began working with a local church to support hundreds of the refugees, distributing food packages paid for by American FRRME. When the first Olive Tree Center was opened, she volunteered right away. Now she works as the Program Coordinator at the Olive Tree Center. Helena Scott, our Jordan Country Director says, “Um Rama truly embodies love in action. The Iraqi refugees call her Um Madaba, which means mother of all Madaba. The center has thrived with her involvement, despite the challenges of Covid.” Um Rama loves seeing the “joy returned to the children’s eyes through music, art, and English classes.” American FRRME has the privilege of working with churches in Iraq and Jordan to bring refugees hope, help, and healing. This is only possible with your support! Through your prayers and your generosity, we can help transform the lives of thousands of Christian refugees. ​ American FRRME is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes reconciliation, provides relief efforts, advances human rights, and seeks an end to sectarian violence in the Middle East.

Olive Tree Farm in Bashiqa By Alice Seeley Published On October 23, 2021 Made possible by your donations, American FRRME and Mosaic Middle East planted 500 olive trees at the Olive Tree Farm in Bashiqa! This Nineveh SEED project restored an olive tree farm that was destroyed by ISIS. Nineveh SEED programs are helping people restore their lives. Our work in Bashiqa is particularly focused on building community, as it is a mixed community of Muslims, Yazidis, and Christians. ​ The Nineveh SEED program provides management and development of these projects through team members in Iraq. Abdulrahman Isaac, Mosaic Middle East, Iraq program manager, and Naeel, Field Monitoring Officer – are both based in northern Iraq and worked on this project with implementation partners, Ghasin Al-Zaiton. ​ Abdulrahman said: “After ISIS was defeated in this town, people returned… but they found their olive farms burned. On one hand, those farms were the main source of income for the farm owners, and on the other hand, they were the main source of income for young people with different ethnoreligious backgrounds who were working there.” ​ Through the Nineveh SEED program, more families are able to return and rebuild their lives. Your gifts help restore hope and a sustainable future for these families.

Olive Tree Center There is truly no place like home For Christians who have lost everything, the Olive Tree Center provides community, healing, and hope for the future. What if you lost your home and everything you own? In 2014, hundreds of thousands of Christians were forced to flee their homes in Iraq, Syria and other neighboring countries to avoid certain death at the hands of ISIS. They left in the dead of night – leaving behind their homes, possessions, careers, friends and family. Many camped in cemeteries and gardens for several months, separated from their loved ones and struggling to survive. ​ Since then, violence against Christians and other minority groups in the Middle East has caused several waves of refugees to leave their homeland in search of safety. Many fled to the Kingdom of Jordan, where there are currently over three million refugees from 53 nationalities. The over one million Christians who fled here have been denied citizenship, and all children born here are considered stateless. Read the latest report on the Olive Tree Center DOWNLOAD PDF Donate Now We hope you will consider a special contribution for the Olive Tree Center.

Iraqi Christians Remember “The Black Day” Published August 7, 2023 Listen to Podcast

A Beautiful Example Of Servant Leadership. By Alice Seeley Published On July 9, 2020 Interview with Brigadier General David E. Greer, who is the current Executive Director of the American Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East. ​ Alice: How did you and your wife Susan meet? ​ General Greer: We meet at a work conference, and got married in Baghdad in a security compound in 2009, while we were working for the US State Department there. ​ Alice: What are some of your hobbies? ​ General Greer: I enjoy gardening, golf, and reading —mostly history. Right now I am currently reading about the American Revolution. Alice: What is one of the proudest moments of your life? ​ General Greer: One of the proudest moments of my life was when my daughter was born. Alice: What can you tell me about your military service? ​ General Greer: I was commissioned from the ROTC at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. After active duty with the 2nd Armored Division at Ft. Hood, Texas, I transitioned to the United States Army Reserve, then to the Tennessee Army National Guard. I served in various command and staff positions within the 30th Separate Armored Brigade, the 196th Field Artillery Brigade, and State Headquarters. I served as the Deputy Commanding General at the U.S. Army Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, OK, and culminated my career as the Land Component Commander of the TN Army National Guard. I served as past President of the National Guard Association of Tennessee. I most enjoyed leading and training soldiers. I retired in 2008 and went to work in Baghdad for the US State Department with the Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team. ​ Alice: How did you come to be involved with American FRRME? ​ General Greer: While in Baghdad, I became friends with Canon Andrew White, vicar of St George’s Anglican Church, Baghdad. He was involved with FRRME in the United Kingdom and I became interested in the foundation’s work. In 2011, Susan and I moved back to Maine and retired with not much to do. I contacted a member of the Board of Trustees of American FRRME to find out how I could help. At that time the Foundation’s Executive Director was working out of the country and was unable to be as involved as they would have liked. After some discussion, I was asked to become Executive Director and took this position on January 1st, 2012. ​ Alice: What is or has been the most rewarding part of your work with American FRRME? ​ General Greer: One of the most rewarding parts of my work was the opening of the Olive Tree Center in Madaba, Jordan, in 2019. This center provides trauma counseling, English lessons, and help with immigration paperwork in a neutral setting, so everyone feels welcome. ​ Alice: What do you hope to achieve before you pass the torch to another Executive Director? ​ General Greer: I would like to see American FRRME in a stronger financial standing and establish more long-term commitments from donors before I pass the torch to someone else. And I would also like to expand the number of Olive Tree Centers to provide more of these services to more people. ​ Alice: What does American FRRME hope to achieve over the next five years? General Greer: The current five-year plan of American FRRME is to continue expanding the Olive Tree Center concept to other cities in Jordan, increasing the outreach of the Nineveh SEED (Sustainable Enterprise Economic Development), and keep working with St. George’s Church in Baghdad. And also to hopefully expand our efforts to help more people outside of Jordan.

Nineveh SEED Rebuilding lives and livelihoods We’re slowly seeing change for the better. In 2014, thousands of Iraqi and Syrian Christians fled their homes in the dead of night to escape certain death at the hands of ISIS insurgents. Many of these Christians were native to the Nineveh Plain, Iraq’s breadbasket. SEED stands for ‘Sustainable Enterprise Economic Development’ Through the Nineveh SEED projects, led by the English charity Mosaic Middle East, we supported programs that helped to build job skills, provide benefits for the community and ultimately, encouraged displaced people to return to their homeland. We will continue to work with and seek out other partners to support sustainable projects that will help to renew economic development, support vocational training, and provide occupational and small business opportunities in the Nineveh Province once again. DONATE Read the latest report on Nineveh SEED Projects Download PDF Will you partner with us in restoring hope and a sustainable future? DONATE

Everyone Loves Ice Cream By Alice Seeley Published On June 24, 2021 Ice cream is everyone’s favorite summer treat! That is why we are very excited to announce the completion of our latest Nineveh SEED project, the Sweet and Ice Cream Shop in Teleskuf! Teleskuf is just 8 miles from Mosul, which was an ISIS stronghold and was on the front line of the war for three years. Abdulrahman Isaac, American FRRME’s Iraq Program Director, was very excited about the reopening of the Sweet Shop: “Before the ISIS conflict, there were several sweet shops in the town, but after the liberation of the town there were no such shops anymore. The project has set up a wonderful bakery with great ice cream, giving a social meeting place for families with children in not just Teleskuf, but the surrounding area as well. The sweet project is very important because there are no similar factories in Teleskuf and its surrounding areas. The shop will be the main source for local people to obtain fresh sweets for their parties and wedding parties, which is such a strong and unifying part of Iraqi culture. Furthermore, and very importantly, it is providing jobs for at least 7 local young people; vulnerable Christian youths with no other source of employment. The Nineveh SEED program is all about providing such livelihoods.” This shop provides a small sense of normalcy to a war-torn area, which was made possible through your generous donations! Through the Nineveh SEED program, we create jobs for the benefit of individuals and their communities, and ultimately encourage people to return home. Providing jobs is so important in helping those who fled for their lives return home and start a new life. Livelihoods are essential to enable people to stay. The transformation from destruction to hope has begun in Teleskuf. However, only half of the population has returned. This is only possible with your support! Through your prayers and your generosity, we can provide jobs to Christian refugees in Nineveh Plain. American FRRME is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes reconciliation, provides relief efforts, advances human rights, and seeks an end to sectarian violence in the Middle East.

Iran is Squeezing Christians and Minorities out of the Middle East, Says Researcher By Keely Jahns Published On June 2, 2022 A researcher with the Philos Project told journalists in February that Iran is squeezing non-Muslims out of the country, and is fighting to do the same in nearby states such as Iraq and Syria. In these neighboring nations, Iran is taking advantage of local political instability to gain a foothold in a war torn region. ​ Senior Research Fellow Dr. Farhad Rezaei, an Iranian Kurd, is a Christian convert who fled Iran and now teaches at York University and resides in Canada. The Philos Project is a nonprofit group that educates and advocates for Christians in the Middle East. ​ Rezaei said, during a February 2022 briefing, that only Sunni Jihadists have contributed to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East is “too simplistic,” and ignores the influence of Iran-backed militias in countries like Iraq. ​ These Iran-backed militias are especially prevalent in Northern Iraq, where the majority of the refugees in our programs are from. This is little-known internationally, as the spotlight has often been on ISIS, and prior to that, Al-Qaeda. However, sources such as Reuters , have shed light on Iranian combat troops believed to have been stationed in Iraq since 2014. ​ A native Iranian, Rezaei noted that since the country’s 1979 revolution, Islamic leaders in Iran have described adherents to minority religions such as Christianity and Judaism as “pollution,” and have taken steps to shrink the size of the Christian and Jewish communities by pushing them out of the country. ​ In Iraq, Rezaei noted, Iran-backed Shiite militias have carried out numerous abductions, killings, and sexual assaults in recent years. They have also seized large areas of land belonging to Christians, especially in the Nineveh Plain. In total, at least 20,000 acres of farmland have been burned, and the militias have carried out at least 75 attacks on places of worship, with at least nine instances of using a church as a military base. ​ Many of these crimes have been solely attributed to Sunni jihadist groups such as the Islamic State, rather than Iran. In Northern Iraq, it’s not widely known that Iranian forces are occupying large areas, with Shiite forces squeezing the native Christians out by seizing property. Just as the Sunni-backed Islamic State, Shiite-backed Iran is competing for control in a politically unstable region. On top of all of this, Turkey is also fighting a proxy war in Northern Iraq, and has bombed several towns on the Nineveh Plain since last year. ​ A region rife with Islamic extremism, Sunni jihadists groups are also still an active scourge on the region. That cannot be understated. Only a few months ago, we reported that jihadist tensions along the Iraq-Syria border were being watched carefully by Iraqi Christians. ​ It was not long ago that ISIS waged war on Christians and Yazidis in the Nineveh Plain, attacking towns, burning churches, forcing conversions and killing families. Most that were able to leave were only able to escape with the clothes on their backs, facing uncertain futures in neighboring nations. Those futures are still uncertain for those who have stayed and those who are now returning. ​ From the February 2022 killing of Abu Ibrahim al Hashimi al-Qurayshi, al-Baghdadi’s successor of head of ISIS, to the Turkish air raids in Kurdistan, to the assault on Ghwayran prison, tensions have been heightened on the Iraqi-Syrian border. As the conflict has escalated, ISIS affiliated militias, who once controlled half of the territories between the two nations, maintain active sleeper cells, ready to strike. ​ The tensions between the two Islamic extremist groups, wrought with layers upon layers of political turmoil, religious difference, and a hatred of anyone deemed “other;” has boiled over and impacted hundreds of thousands of innocents in the Nineveh Plain over the last decade. Regional clashes between different militias, minority groups, and facets of the Iraqi government have also recently displaced over 1,000 Yazidi families on the Nineveh Plain . This is unfortunately not the first time that the Yazidis have been uprooted from their homeland. ​ In a region rife with political turmoil, the Christians, Yazidis, and Shabak of the Nineveh Plain need our help now more than ever before. The refugees who have fled their homelands in search of peaceful and stable futures, from 2014 onward, need programs to help their bodies, minds, and spirits recover from the intense trauma they have experienced. ​ In the wake of the growing refugee crisis around the world, more programs are needed like the ones administered by American FRRME. Unfortunately, refugees are among the world’s most underserved populations. ​ Life is not easy for Iraqi refugees. As adversity grows, programs are needed to protect the most vulnerable of these refugees. American FRRME is committed to long term self-sustaining programs and opportunities to help empower refugees and Internally Displaced Persons. Donations to American FRRME go to programs that will aid in the survival of families facing violence across the Middle East.

The Pope is coming to Iraq! By Alice Seeley Published On March 4, 2021 On Friday, March 5th, Pope Francis will make history by being the first pope to visit Iraq. The Pope will arrive in Baghdad, where American FRRME funds St. George’s medical and dental clinic. Through his visit, Pope Francis hopes to bring peace and healing to the war-torn country. ​ Peace is greatly needed in Iraq! Iraqi Christians are one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. However, that number has diminished alarmingly in the last twenty years and is still shrinking. In 2003, there were 1.5 million Iraqi Christians; today there are only 400,000. Currently, Iraq is the 11th most dangerous country in the world for Christians. ​ During his visit, Pope Francis will meet with important Christian and Muslim leaders to address issues faced by both groups. He is also scheduled to say Mass at Our Lady of Salvation Cathedral in Baghdad, where in October 2010, ISIS suicide bombers attacked during evening Mass, killing 48 people and two priests, and injuring dozens. The Pope will go on to visit Qaraqosh, where Christians are finally starting to return home after dozens of family farms were destroyed by ISIS. Before the ISIS invasion, the Qaraqosh district was known as ‘Chicken City’ for the large number of chicken farms located there. American FRRME has helped many of these families regain their livelihood through the Nineveh SEED initiative. The first chicken farm of Nineveh SEED was completed at the end of 2019 and the project continues to grow. The Pope is expected to depart the country on March 8th. ​ Like Pope Francis, American FRRME is striving to bring peace and healing to Iraq. Your generosity helps us bring new life and healing to the devastated Nineveh plain. ​​American FRRME is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes reconciliation, provides relief efforts, advances human rights, and seeks an end to sectarian violence in the Middle East.