ISIS has forced more than one million people from their homes in Kurdistan, Iraq, causing many families to flee the country. Mormon Channel’s new video features Murad Mardilos Wartanian, mayor of an Armenian village, and how he is doing everything in his power to help these refugee families.
Wartanian’s town consisted of 115 families living in 115 homes. When more than 80 refugee families showed up looking for help, the mayor welcomed them all. Wartanian opened up a school and other facilities for the families to stay in, and even provided beds, clothing and food.
The charitable mayor shared that Armenian’s had been through a similar experience in 1915 during the Armenian Genocide. Families were forced from their homes and massacred. Knowing that his ancestors experienced similar circumstances as these refugees, Wartanian explained, “When the families came, we didn’t find it strange. We welcomed them here enthusiastically.”
Wartanian believes that it is in the midst of struggle that people show their true colors. He said,
We are not perfect, but we love helping others, because we know this is an emergency, and people in hard situations should show who they really are and be good to one another.
LDS Charities helps provide food and other provisions to this community. If you would like to help give back, visit giveback.churchofjesuschrist.org.
