The civil war in Syria is now into its 11th year, and the horrors of this war continue to affect millions of lives. Over 6.7 million people in Syria have been internally displaced, including approximately 2.5 million children, who are vulnerable and live in constant danger of terror, deprivation, and despair.

With no solution in sight, the Syrian refugee crisis continues to be the most prominent refugee and migration crises of our time. This is why your assistance is needed more than ever. 

But first, let’s see what’s happening in Syria and what we can do to support the Syrian people.

Since the civil war in Syria began in 2011, families have endured a brutal struggle that has killed hundreds of thousands of people, ravaged the country, and plunged the Syrian economy into crisis. These extreme circumstances have had a massive effect on the mental, physical, and social health of refugees and have jeopardized the future of children fleeing for a new life.

Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has made difficult living conditions even more dire in Syria and has resulted in Syrian refugees being pushed even further into food insecurity. As a result, the growing poverty rate in Syria is now at an all-time high of 80 percent.  

In addition to Syrian nationals displaced within their own homeland, more than 6.6 million Syrians have been forced to flee the country, with approximately 5.6 million of them seeking refuge in neighboring countries: Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. 

The plight of most Syrian refugees is not any better than that of Syrians who remain displaced in their homeland. Many refugee families are burdened by hunger and poverty. Some families have only the cover of a tent to protect them from the elements. Within refugee settlements, conditions are often deplorable with a lack of water, electricity, and proper health care. In addition, 45 percent of refugees are under the age of 18 and many have no or limited access to education. Jobs are difficult to come by, and with no end to the war in Syria in sight, many refugees have given up on their dreams of ever returning home. 

Host countries are dealing with the economic fallout of the pandemic, which has ultimately added to the suffering of refugee families. So what can you do in this crucial moment? Below is a list of ways you can help refugees.

Put faith into action and change lives through advocacy for refugee rights. Raising public awareness around refugee matters and addressing xenophobic perceptions and laws can go a long way to help refugees resettle in a new place. Fostering support for refugees through our Private Sponsorship program can be a great way for you to contribute to positive changes in legislation that will benefit the lives of Syrian refugees. This, in turn, will encourage further humanitarian assistance, empowering refugees to live better lives in North America.

Syrian refugees are facing difficulties that simply cannot be ignored. By listening to their stories, we can better understand their journey through life more deeply, which can be a valuable tool for transformation.

Taking your time to learn and share the stories of Syrian refugees is an impactful and easy way to raise awareness for these families. The story of how they’ve migrated to another country often involves profound courage, inspiring actions, and oftentimes, heartbreaking sacrifices. 

Sharing these stories can also help us better understand how to support and empower these families. To help raise awareness, you can read stories of the struggles of Syrian refugee families here. 

Another way to inspire others to take action is to help them fully understand the journeys that Syrian refugees go through. What decisions would you make for yourself and your family if you had to leave Syria for another country? Embark on a journey to experience the true difficulties faced by Syrian refugees with this virtual reality (VR) tool here.

Syrians who have fled the war often leave everything behind. Starting a life in a new country means they need the basics to support themselves: food, shelter, and hygiene items. You can help Syrian refugees by donating to our international Disaster Response program in Canada today.

Your contribution makes a huge difference to refugees who’ve lost everything in the war. Donations made will support families with food, water, shelter kits, hygiene kits, blankets, milk and diapers, as well as long-term community support from our partner churches and organizations.

As a result of the Syrian civil war, Jamal fled to Lebanon with his family in order to survive. Through a partnership with World Renew, a Lebanese church has been able to open its doors and its hearts to provide for more Syrian refugees, creating a safe place for Jamal and his family to belong until the day they can return home.  

The bible teaches us in Leviticus 19:33-34, “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”

World Renew aims to make a difference by meeting the needs of refugee families. Meet Amina, who through a partnership between World Renew and local churches in Lebanon, received food, milk, and other necessities to help support her family.

Give someone the gift of hope and an opportunity for a better life. Become a vital partner with World Renew today and work to help refugees. Whatever you can give time, money, however big or small your action is, will make a difference. Learn more about the resettlement of refugees and our sponsorship programs.