What is the situation in and around Syria now?
The conflict in Syria is in its fourth year. It is impossible to overstate the devastating impact this crisis has had on a generation of Syrian and Iraqi children. They have lost homes, friends, family members, and witnessed or experienced extreme violence. They are now living in makeshift tents and abandoned buildings, their families struggling for food every day.
More than 6.6 million children have been affected by the war in Syria, with more than 1.6 million children fleeing with family members to neighbouring countries. 2.8 million children are no longer in school. They have lost homes, friends, family members and witnessed or experienced violence.
Right now, snowstorms are sweeping through the region, making the situation for vulnerable families living in tented settlements unbearable. The needs of children are urgent and increasing.
How is World Vision responding?
World Vision has been supporting the Syrian refugees since 2011, and have already reached more than 1 million people left homeless and vulnerable in Lebanon, Jordan and Syria. We now have extended this work into Iraq.
This includes:
Lebanon: World Vision has been supplying food, water and emergency shelter since refugees first began arriving. We are working with partners to provide winter clothes, blankets and heating during the harsh winter. We have also distributed baby kits, hygiene kits and blankets. Toilets and water tanks have been established in areas of need, and importantly, World Vision has been providing remedial classes to children not in school, or struggling in their school work, as well as psychosocial support through Child Friendly Spaces.
Jordan: Projects include work within the Azraq and Za'atari refugee camps in Jordan to provide clean water, healthcare and toilets, and distribute nappies and hygiene kits. In local schools World Vision has been working on improving water and sanitation to help with the extra students. Child Friendly spaces are giving children schooling, who otherwise would be missing out, and support to deal with their trauma. Blankets, clothing and gas heating are being provided to families struggling in the harsh winter.
Syria: In regions we can access, World Vision has set up health clinics, and is arranging a reliable supply chain of medicines. We now have large scale nutrition programmes, have set up kitchens and provided emergency water shipments and sanitation to local camps. Winter clothing and thermal blankets are being provided to displaced families.
Iraq: World Vision has conducted three distributions so far, providing aid (mattresses, blankets, hygiene kits, jerry cans, clothing, baby kits, and toys for children) to more than 3,000 people. We continue to assess needs and register families, especially in Dahuk where more than 500,000 displaced people are in desperate need of assistance. Right now families are being provided with winter clothes, heaters and heating fuel.?
How can I get involved?
Your support will make a crucial difference to the children and their families in desperate need throughout this region. Please make an urgent donation to support the children and families devastated by the Syrian refugee crisis and families affected in Iraq today. Make your voice heard by signing the global public petition to stop this violence and suffering of children now.
How can I make a donation?
You can make online donations, phone donations and offline donations.
MAKE AN ONLINE DONATION HERE
Phone donations can be made on 0800 90 5000.
Offline donations can be made by printing off the form below and filling it out (app users tap here). Or look in the print edition of the Herald.
