The Fayette Citizen-News Page

Wednesday, December 19, 2001

International group with local office helping Afghan refugees

Operation Mobilization, an international Christian mission agency with its U.S. office in Fayette County, is providing assistance to refugees in Afghanistan.

Teams are providing food, clothing, blankets and medical care to help families survive the winter months. They are currently focusing on 10,000 families and hope to expand their efforts to assist a total of 250,000 people.

Thousands of Afghan refugees are at the border with Tajikistan. Some were already there due to the civil war in Afghanistan. But the number grew considerably as the strikes against the Taliban made it too dangerous for these refugees to remain where they lived.

Working from Tajikistan, OM workers have already distributed 40 tons of winter clothing and supplies. Another 50 tons of supplies are at the border and ready to be distributed. Throughout the winter, the workers will provide tents, shelter materials, blankets, clothing and shoes, along with flour, beans and cooking oil.

Operation Mobilization, a 44-year-old ministry, has 2,800 workers serving in more than 85 countries around the world and on board two ocean-going mission ships. The local office in Tyrone serves as the home base for the approximately 500 Americans working with OM.

To make tax-deductible contributions to relief work among Afghan refugees, visit OM online at www.usa.om.org. Or checks payable to OM may be mailed to Operation Mobilization, P.O. Box 444, Tyrone, GA 30290.

Indicate that your contribution is for Afghan relief. OM belongs to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and is audited annually by an independent auditing firm.


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