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#SyriaNow more than ever

by zeenat

11 February 2020

At some point the politics have to cave in to the sheer weight of the human tragedy. With 700 000 people freshly, and at time repeatedly displaced in the last two months, the Syrian Turkish border is bursting with suffering as refugees flee the war and violence in the Idlib and western Aleppo region.

The relentless Syrian military attacks supported by Russia and other allies have left towns in complete ruin as they wrestle them away from rebel forces. Despite a strong Turkish military presence on the ground, the air attacks have caused most of the destruction.

Civilians, men women, children and the elderly have been killed in unprecedented numbers and the refugee crisis is one of the worst at present in the world.

The beginning of 2020 marked a drastic change in the ground situation. Most of the people displaced since 15 January have been displaced multiple times before. The bombardments have now started targeting civilian infrastructure including IDP camps, schools, health centers and hospitals.

The harsh Syrian winter has increased the vulnerability of the displaced. Economically the weakening Syrian Pound has meant that prices of basic commodities have gone up making a terrible situation even worse.

According to UN statistics from December 2019 around 80% of the refugees are women and children, mostly from large population centers such as Saraqab and Ma’arrat An Nu’man, as well as smaller towns and villages in other parts of southern Idlib governorate.

The provision of shelter along with food is a primary need at present.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has noted that thousands of families are being temporarily accommodated in public buildings, schools and mosques, relying on local charities to provide immediate assistance including cooked meals; hundreds of other families are reportedly sheltering in unfinished houses, shops and other sub-standard buildings, as well as in open spaces including public parks, with no access to basic services.

Salaam Foundation has recently sent 3 shipping containers of supplies to the refugee areas and distribution is expected to take place in the next 7 to 10 days based on logistical successes.

87 tents are currently being set up by our implementing partners and we are awaiting feedback. As soon as this is received it will be made available.

For now our fundraising initiatives are set to continue.

Contributions can be made to:

Salaam Foundation

FNB 62669147665

Branch 250 737

Ref: syr + name (zakat/lillah/sadaqa)

fatima@salaamedia.com

 

 

 

 

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