Help Strengthen the Resilience of Syrian Refugees

Dear Supporter,

I’d like to share the story of Tarek (name has been changed for privacy).

71-year-old Tarek Hamad came to Siverek, Sanliurfa, Turkey three years ago after his house in Syria was destroyed by a bomb that killed his wife and left his 24-year-old son disabled. Mr. Hamad is now the main provider of the family, which in addition to his older son also includes a 16-year-old son and two granddaughters. Though they share their home in Turkey with another family, the Hamads still must pay 150 TL in rent per month and although the younger Hamad son works as a day laborer, the family has trouble making ends meet. Tarek and his family are mainly dependent on Concern’s e-voucher project, which provides limited support for basic needs like food and hygiene. Concern is also providing support to help the children to go school and the disabled son to receive additional assistance. With the winterization kit the Hamad family will be receiving, they will be able to better withstand the cold weather despite their poorly insulated home. The kit includes: 3 mattresses, 3 blankets, a floort mat, a tarpaulin, a rope, a solar light and 2 jerry cans.

Since September 2013, Concern has been responding to the needs of the Syrian people in Syria and Turkey and helping families like the Hamads. In 2015, a total of 380,000 people were provided with clean drinking water, education, financial assistance, emergency food rations, winter kits, hygiene kits and activities to control the spread of diseases, though many more still need help.

The United Nations estimates that the Syrian conflict has displaced 4 million refugees in neighboring countries, including Turkey. There, the most vulnerable families are living in sub-standard unheated accommodation such as unfinished or public buildings, schools, tents, and shops. They are cut off from their homes and communities, cannot work, and are unable to access basic services such as health care and education for their children. The burden is even greater for female-headed households.

To help reach more people like Tarek, Concern is using a rapid assessment tool to aid in the identification of beneficiaries, with data being collected using a smart phone app called Kobo toolbox. This app allows for quick analysis and comparison between refugees in different areas. To date, 120 households have been verified in four locations.

This work would not be possible without the generous support of donors like you.

On behalf of families like the Hamads, a very sincere thank you for your and compassion and life saving support. Your support is making a world of difference and is helping families keep warm during harsh winter months.