AMMAN, Jordan — Ongoing violence in Iraq continues to hamper humanitarian response in the volatile country, but the international agency Church World Service and the All Our Children campaign are continuing to supply vital aid by working with local Iraqi implementers to deliver supplies and services for the country's vulnerable children.

According to a press release, humanitarian groups have returned after exiting as insurgency and violence flared anew prior to the U.S. handover to Iraq's interim government.

"We're now seeing a measured return of the international humanitarian community to Baghdad," said Church World Service director of emergency programs, Rick Augsburger. "There are now approximately 22 NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and 30 international staff back in Baghdad.

"But given the situation," he said, "most are in a cautious wait-and-see mode. Church World Service has been able to continue delivering services primarily directed to vulnerable children by working through national Iraqi staff or organizations."

In California over the weekend to address supporters in the San Francisco area, CWS executive director and CEO, the Rev. John L. McCullough, said, "The status of children¹s health in Iraq under Saddam Hussein's rule and under sanctions was tragic. Today after regime change and handover by U.S. forces to Iraq¹s provisional authority, the humanitarian sector can report considerable progress in providing basic health and medical care for the country's children, as well as such vital supporting needs as clean water supplies. But the task is far from over."

Funded by the All Our Children Campaign, CWS and its Iraqi partners are currently pre-positioning medical supplies for response to hotspots such as Fallujah, where violence is impeding access to medical assistance and materials.

Another All Our Children-funded project is preparing to deliver basic health, hygiene and personal safety information to children in schools in Baghdad and towns in Southern Iraq.

"What's evident in the media is the daily, continuing violence and insecurity in Iraq," said Augsburger. "But what isn't so evident is the fact that many children and adults still aren¹t able to access basic medical care, dependable water and electricity."

The All Our Children fund has raised $1,200,000 in cash contributions so far, according to  Augsburger. Of that, $922,000 in total assistance has been delivered to date.

Since All Our Children's inception fourteen months ago, the campaign's projects have directly benefited more than 200,000 children, through assistance to clinics, hospitals, a children's theater project, and safe water supply projects. Directors of the program plan to disseminate basic health, hygiene and personal safety information to children in schools in Baghdad this fall, when they hope life there may return to normal.

Already CWS has delivered school and hygiene kits, assembled by U.S. volunteers, in the communities of Hay-Nasal, Hay-Dschulan, Hay-Al Shuhda'a and Hay-Jhubail. About 1,000 health kits were distributed to patients at primary health care centers Al-Garma, Al-Jumhorya, Al-Julan, Al-Wahada and Dor Al-Cement.

Church World Service is a cooperative ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican denominations, providing sustainable self-help and development, disaster relief, advocacy and refugee assistance worldwide.