Islamic Relief - Emergencies And Appeals

Syria Crisis

Latest Update

Background

IR Response

Violence intensifies inside Damascus
23 July 2012

A kilometre of cars were waiting to enter Lebanon last Thursday

UNHCR is gravely concerned about the dramatic escalation of Syria’s refugees fleeing in to neighbouring countries. "As of last week, it was estimated that 1 million people may have been forced to flee inside the country since the conflict began” UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming told journalists in Geneva. Most of the displaced are women and children, and 50% are 18 years old or less.

Violence has escalated in Syria, particularly in the capital city Damascus between government and opposition troops. The recent exodus began last Wednesday evening, hours after the news spread that a bomb killed three high-ranking Syrian officials, and as fighting between government troops and opposition troops intensified. The deadly violence is only expected to get worse.

This recent violence has caused 120,000 Syrian refugees to seek protection in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Turkey, according to UNHCR. Government estimates however put the numbers much higher. In Lebanon, as many as 30,000 Syrians, many from Damascus, arrived last Thursday from Syria in just 48 hours. Desperation was clearly evident, as four lines of cars waiting to enter Lebanon were backed up for nearly a kilometre behind the border crossing.

For some refugees, it was nearly a 12-hour trip to Lebanon, due to the difficulty in securing transportation from their homes in various parts of Syria, and the slow processing taking place at the border security office.

Islamic Relief is continuing its efforts to support displaced Syrians as the situation becomes more precarious and uncertain. Islamic Relief recently supported 9,334 refugees and 600 to 700 Lebanese host families with food, newborn baby sets, nappies, mattresses, blankets candles, hygiene and kitchen sets. Islamic Relief now plans to support a further 7,000 refugees in north and south Lebanon with food and non-food aid, as well continuing to provide medical aid inside Damascus.

IR Video: Medical intervention inside Syria

27 December 2012

Syrian refugees reach more than 500,000 as the UN appeals for $1.5 billion for urgent response

20 December 2012

“We’re grateful to Islamic Relief for helping us”

30 November 2012

“Not prepared for winter”

26 November 2012

"Winter will be coming soon, how will we survive?"

23 November 2012

Belated Eid Celebrations for Syrian Children

21 November 2012