Scottish Catholic Observer

Six years after the start of the bloody conflict, more than 250,000 people have been killed, 4.8 million people have fled for their lives into neighbouring countries, while a further 6.5 million have run from their homes but remain in Syria. Millions of people are facing severe shortages of food, water, medicine and shelter this Christmas.

Their situation will be made much worse in the coming weeks due to the onset of winter. Many families who are living outside are bracing themselves for temperatures as low as -6 degrees.

SCIAF is working with its sister agencies in the global Caritas network of Catholic international aid agencies to get emergency supplies to the most vulnerable. It is also helping children who’ve been traumatised by often horrific experiences to get professional care so they can recover and gain access to an education. In countries such as Lebanon, which have seen a massive influx of refugees, SCIAF is also helping poor members of the host community.

SCIAF’s director Alistair Dutton will be visiting Lebanon in early December. He said it was ‘impossible to grasp the scale of suffering the war in Syria has brought to the lives of millions of ordinary people.’

“Many have lost everything, including their children, husbands, wives, parents and friends, not to mention their homes and all they owned,” he said. “Millions of families who are now homeless, desperate and urgently need our help. Since the conflict began, the generosity of the Scottish people has meant that we’ve been able to get food, clean water, blankets, shelter, money, medical care and counselling to Syrian refugees.

“I’d like to thank those who have supported us so far but would urge everyone to continue to give whatever they can to help continue to respond to this horrific war.”

To donate to SCIAF’s emergency Christmas appeal to help Syrian refugees, visit www.sciaf.org.uk or call 0141 354 5555.

—This story ran in full in the November 25 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.