Caritas Doctor, Akaf Khalil Alusi with his patient and mother at Caritas clinic in Zarqa, Jordan near Amman. The clinic is caring for Syrian refugees.
Credits: Caritas Jordan
Caritas is calling for donations to help those struggling as a result of the war in Syria. Families who have lost homes and livelihoods need urgent help, especially as winter makes their lives even more difficult.
Some 500,000 people have fled to neighbouring countries because of the conflict which started in March 2011. A further 1.5 million are internally displaced. Conditions for many left in the country are pitiful and up to 2.5 million people require help.
“Many people’s lives and families have been shattered by this war,” says Bishop Antoine Audo, president of Caritas Syria. “We must accompany Syrians through this tragedy and show them that they are not alone. We mustn’t let the light go out on Syria in this cold and dark winter.”
Caritas is appealing for US$822,100 (€637,287) for a six-month project which will help 1,600 families.
The funds collected will help people face the winter. Caritas will provide heating oil and gas bottles, blankets and bed linen, warm clothes, stoves and heaters and will help people pay their rent.
Vulnerable groups will be prioritised in the programme. These include single mothers, families with elderly people or children with disabilities, economically disadvantaged families and those with three children or more will be prioritised in the programme.
Areas where Caritas will be carrying the programme include Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Hassakeh.