— Photo by Sarah Malian, Christian Aid/ACT

March 15, 2014 marked the third anniversary of the Syria crisis.  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance — as a program of Presbyterian Compassion, Peace and Justice — joins other InterAction member organizations in a statement expressing deep concern for the Syrian families

The humanitarian crisis in Syria has become one of the largest humanitarian crises of our day. According to the UN, the number of Syrians in need of humanitarian assistance has risen dramatically to 9.3 million people, up from 6.8 million in June 2013.

Similarly, the number of people displaced within the country has increased from 4.25 million to more than 6.5 million, and the number of refugees has now reached more than 2.5 million. Many of those refugees have fled to neighboring countries, many that are ill equipped and resourced to shelter such an influx of refugees. 

Meanwhile, inside Syria, millions of people lack access to water, medical care, food, shelter and other basic humanitarian needs.  Entire neighborhoods, communities, even cities have been destroyed.

Response

In the midst of this catastrophe, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), in collaboration with and support of ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) members and other ecumenical partners, is providing relief to refugees in neighboring countries and to hundreds of thousands of Syrians within the country itself. Similarly, our mission partner the Evangelical Synod of Syria and Lebanon is providing relief and care.

The focus is on life-saving activities — treating and evacuating the wounded, as well as water, sanitation, health, shelter and food.  Another important focus is education. Approximately half of the Syrian refugee population is children. 

Specific humanitarian assistance includes:

girl jumping ropeEMERGENCY AID — critical food aid and essentials like infant care supplies, personal hygiene supplies, clothing, blankets, mattresses, and essential medicines and medical supplies.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION — assistance in finding functioning health facilities to receive emergency surgeries; and the provision of personal hygiene kits so displaced Syrians can maintain their health where crowded conditions and a lack of water for personal hygiene have resulted in a sharp increase in scabies and other public health maladies.

SHELTER — repair and renovation of buildings to provide safe shelter.

EDUCATION — access to remedial classes, uniforms required for refugees to attend public schools, and repair and expansion of schools to improve the learning environment.

WATER, SANITATION, and HYGIENE (WASH) — repair of wells and water systems to provide safe access to water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene; renovation of sanitation facilities; installation of water filters to remove diarrhea-causing bacteria; and hygiene awareness education.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY — identification of improvement projects such as garbage collection and rubble clean-up to provide employment opportunities that allow people to earn an income and, where possible, to begin the process of recovering.

PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT — workshops to assist Syrians of all ages who have experienced trauma or are suffering from depression or anxiety as they learn to manage stress and cope with loss through workshops that use puppet-making, drawing and drama.

How You Can Help

Stand in the GAP for disaster survivors as you Give, Act, and Pray.

Give.  Please generously share your financial blessings by designating gifts to DR000081 – Middle East. Write “Syria” on the reference line if mailing a check.

Act.  More than 26,100 Gift of the Heart school kits have been sent to provide some of the basic supplies needed for children in refugee camps.  Help replenish the supply.  Learn how to make the kits.

Pray.  At this difficult and uncertain time, PDA asks that you keep the people of Syria in your thoughts and prayers.  Please pray:

  • for all those whose lives have been and continue to be affected,
  • for those who have lost friends and family during this crisis,
  • for those who are displaced,
  • for those working to deliver humanitarian assistance,
  • for an end to violence and the beginning of negotiations for a solution that meets the democratic aspiration of the Syrian people,
  • that access will be open for humanitarian assistance to continue to get through to those in need.
 

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