Initiative Christlicher Orient

Founded in 1989, Initiative Christlicher Orient is a non-governmental organisation based in Linz, Austria working on humanitarian aid & disaster relief, poverty & hunger, education +3 more.

The Initiative Christlicher Orient (ICO) is an Austrian aid organisation and association based in Linz. It was founded in 1989 by Prof. Dr. Hans Hollerweger as Freunde des Tur Abdin, following the emigration of Syriac Orthodox Christians from south-eastern Turkey. Since 2009 it has been an officially recognised aid organisation with tax-deductible donations and a member of the Koordinierungsstelle of the Austrian Bishops' Conference for international development and mission. The ICO supports Christian communities in the Middle East, with a focus on Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine and Turkey. Its work includes emergency and winter aid, food distribution, education support such as school fee sponsorships, support for church kindergartens, schools and care homes, and livelihood projects. It also informs the public about Christians in the Orient through an annual conference in Salzburg, a magazine, publications and events. Projects are carried out with local church and civil society partners.