"The faith of the people is strong, even if they are leaving the country or they are staying there," he said.
"But they're still praying, they still have hope in a big miracle for their lives," he added of the patients.
Pope Francis, who in 2014 called Fr. Benoka and told him "I am with you in prayer always. I never forget you," sent a container of medical supplies to the group in November, Fr. Benoka said.
"We thank him from our hearts," he said.
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Others displaced from their homes by violence may not be able to return home yet, or various reasons. They may fear for their security, particularly after their neighbors betrayed them to ISIS.
The Syrian Catholic prelate of Mosul recently told the group Aid to the Church in Need that Muslim neighbors burned down 75 percent of Christian homes in the villages that have been freed from ISIS control.
"We are afraid that we will have to continue to live with these people. We impatiently awaited liberation, and many wanted to return immediately, but there first need to be guarantees for our safety," he said.
Fr. Benoka estimated that "if the situation continues as it is now," in two years the region could be empty of Christians. "The cradle of Christianity will be empty," he said.
His relief organization has "grown day after day," he said, "because of the continual needs of the people who need health care." They have received support from friends and other Christian non-governmental organizations.
"It's not easy" to meet all the needs of the displaced families, he said. "It's very, very difficult, and we need, really, the support of everybody."
Matt Hadro was the political editor at Catholic News Agency through October 2021. He previously worked as CNA senior D.C. correspondent and as a press secretary for U.S. Congressman Chris Smith.