The government took a major step towards helping embattled Christians in the middle east region and the faith-based organizations trying to help them.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would authorize the U.S. government to fund American relief groups helping displaced Iraqi and Syrian Christians in the Middle East. As ongoing media reports have published around the world, ISIS has maimed, beaten and killed thousands of Christians and Yazidi’s in the Middle Eastern nation of Iraq and Syria, Faithwire has reported regularly over the last year.
As a solution to the bloodshed, Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey and Anna Eshoo, D-California introduced the bipartisan bill: the Iraq and Syrian Genocide Emergency Relief and Accountability Act which authorizes the Department of Defense (DoD) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide funding to faith-based organizations and others who are working tirelessly on the ground to help religious minorities escape the ugly grip of ISIS.
HR 390 will help ensure #GenocideSurvivors get the support they need to rebuild after facing the greatest threat of all pic.twitter.com/JaxbKvf8EN
— Rep. Chris Smith (@RepChrisSmith) June 7, 2017
According to the Christian Post, the new legislation would also provide support related to criminal investigations involving militants responsible for the horrific war crimes in Iraq and Syria as well as encourage foreign governments to participate by turning in human rights abusers.
Earlier this year, Fox news issued a dire warning about the international community including Americans stepping up their effort to protect Christians in the Middle East. Noting that, if nothing is done, this ancient minority group will fade away forever.
To read the report passed on Tuesday, click here.
—
(H/T: Christian Post)
—
Other Must-Read Stories:
– The Syrian Children Who Need the Most Help and You Likely Haven’t Heard About
– WATCH: Syrian Photog Captures Harrowing Footage Immediately After Devastating Terror Attack