Christian World Service launches appeal for Syrian families

11 April 2013

CWS launches appeal for Syrian families

Christian World Service is appealing for support for Syrian refugee families. With more than 5 million people now affected, much more help is urgently needed.

CWS partners the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR) are working in Jordan and Lebanon with Syrian refugees providing practical help and support.

The support is both medical and logistical. Families have been given medical check-ups and care, food parcels, kitchen utensils, women’s hygiene products, stoves, rent subsidies, clothes, stationery and school bags.

ACT Alliance members have been responding with food, shelter, medical and other assistance since the outset of fighting in 2011.

Syria’s civil war crisis involves levels of loss that strain the imagination. There have been at least 70,000 deaths, 6,000 in March alone.

There are an estimated 4 million internally displaced people in Syria and more than 1.3 million refugees in the neighbouring countries of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Three quarters of them are women and children. More are likely to follow.

“With no end in sight, the international community needs to step up support for those who are hungry and displaced from the fighting. The UN and non-governmental agencies are unable to meet the growing need. More help is urgently needed,” says CWS national director, Pauline McKay.

Prior to the fighting Palestinian refugees in Syria enjoyed the same civil rights as its citizens and lived comfortable lives. Now they are struggling to survive in overcrowded, impoverished refugee camps, with family or crammed together in rented accommodation.

CWS is focussing on helping these refugee families says CWS national director, Pauline McKay.

“They’re often broke, homeless, traumatised and scrambling to keep their family lives intact.

“Supporting the families is the best way to ensure their children get the best care they can,’’ she said.

Donations to the Syria Appeal can be made: on line at www.cws.org.nz/donate, sent to PO Box 22652, Christchurch 8140 or by calling 0800 74 73 72.

CWS is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of more than 130 churches and church related organisations that work together in the areas of humanitarian assistance, advocacy and community development.

ENDS

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