The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is partnering with a local organization* in Damascus to respond to the needs of Syrians who have been displaced from their homes by violence and unrest.

Map of the neighborhoods under siege in the Homs area of Syria (as of February 2012).  Photo courtesy wikipedia.

The Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) is partnering with a local organization* in Damascus to respond to the needs of Syrians who have been displaced from their homes by violence and unrest.

Unrest in the Syrian Arab Republic has been ongoing for over a year and is continuing to affect civilians, particularly in the most vulnerable segments of the population. Houses have been burned, people have been killed, and the entire population is living in a state of uncertainty and unrest.

Today, several cities are besieged and access to critical supplies of food, fuel, and medical aid is limited. The prices for the food and fuel that remain have also escalated greatly, leaving many unable to afford what they need to survive.

The latest UN estimates indicate that over one million Syrians are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. Tens of thousands have fled the country into neighboring Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, and Iraq.  Many more are displaced within the country and have urgent needs for food, medical assistance, bedding, and household supplies. 

Unfortunately, providing aid to these vulnerable populations has proven difficult. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society and the World Food Programme are distributing food and supplies in some locations. Small, unorganized, community groups are also trying to provide some assistance to those in need. However, there is no over-arching mechanism to coordinate these efforts as most external humanitarian organizations have been blocked from entering the country.

According to Wayne de Jong, CRWRC Director of Disaster Response, “this is a very difficult context in which to do anything, but we are compelled to do something to enable the victims of this horrible conflict to maintain their health and wellbeing, and to show them that we care and that God loves them too.”

CRWRC is working through a local organization to get aid to those most in need. This partner is based in Beirut and is part of the information loop regarding assistance that is being provided to refugees across the region outside of Syria. They also have reputable contacts within Syria who are well-positioned to identify those in need and manage the distribution efforts.

Through this partnership, CRWRC has been providing food, rent assistance, blankets, hygiene items, as well as medical and counseling services to 350 displaced families since April 2012. This aid will continue until at least September 2012.

Recently, CRWRC received support for its Syrian response from the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada.  Additional funds, however, are still needed. Please donate online — US | Canada — today. 

Gifts marked “Syria Conflict 2012” can also be sent to:

CRWRC US
2850 Kalamazoo Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49560
Ph: 1-800-55-CRWRC

CRWRC-Canada
3475 Mainway
P.O. Box 5070 STN LCD
Burlington, Ontario, L7R 3Y8

* organization’s name has been withheld due to security risks within the country.