“Final message – people are dying since last night. I am very surprised I am tweeting right now & still alive… I am very sad no one is helping us in this world, no one is evacuating me & my daughter. Goodbye.”

These are the haunting words of a Syrian mother living in Eastern Aleppo. Over the last few days, Syrians in Eastern Aleppo have been using Twitter and other social media tools to cry out to a world that seems to have abandoned them. Reports of unimaginable suffering have emerged.

In Syria, this is neither the first offensive by one combatant group over another, nor the last. For years, such attacks have killed, wounded, or trapped thousands of civilians. Now, mothers and fathers—sons and daughter—are sharing their desperate, bone-chilling pleas for the world to hear.

People are dying since last night.

I am very sad no one is helping us in this world.

And the rest of us are witnesses to their suffering.

But we do not need to be mere witnesses who watch without reaching out to help.

Through your prayers and generous support, you can join World Renew in showing the people of Syria that they are neither abandoned nor forgotten.

World Renew is committed to respond to the enormous humanitarian needs of the people in Aleppo.

Since April 2012, World Renew has been reaching out to Syrians affected by this war.

World Renew has provided over 32,000 families in the region with food and other vital necessities, providing a measure of hope to sustain them. Families have received food assistance when they could not afford food on their own, and they have received financial support to help them stay warm and survive through the cold winters. Mothers and children have received milk, diapers and nutritional supplements to ensure that their health is not jeopardized even more.

World Renew has also received 94 sponsorship applications from Canadian churches and community organizations, and has welcomed 157 Syrians to Canada, so that they can find permanent safety.

All of this work is carried out through our Christian and church partners actively serving those severely affected by the conflict.  As our partners operate in challenging contexts, they serve as the hands and feet of Christ by providing a measure of God’s love, compassion, and support to those suffering as result of the war.

During this Advent season, we remember that Jesus was born into this world as a refugee and we celebrate him as the Prince of Peace. As we are reminded of Jesus’ story, let us not forget these Syrian families who are desperately crying out for peace and safety in Eastern Aleppo. It is clear that far more needs to be done for them.

World Renew is committed to respond to the enormous humanitarian needs of the people in Aleppo.

We are working with local church partners already on the ground in Aleppo to reach out to crisis-affected families. The most immediate needs are food, water and blankets.

Your financial support will help make this response possible. Please give today.

 

PHOTO: An evacuee from rebel-held east Aleppo carries bread upon her arrival with others at the town of al-Rashideen, which is held by insurgents, Syria December 15, 2016. REUTERS/Ammar Abdullah