Syrian Refugee Relief Fund

COVID-19 has now been reported in more than 200 countries and territories, and there are more than 5.5 million confirmed cases of the virus around the world. More than 80% of the world’s refugees are hosted in low-to-middle-income countries, where many healthcare systems lack the capabilities to combat the virus on such a large scale. Additionally, typical accommodations in refugee camps make it nearly impossible for individuals to practice social distancing or quarantining. In the words of one nonprofit leader from Jafra Foundation for Relief and Youth Development, 

“For refugees, the virus has not only exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, but it has also created new ones.”

Disaster specialists at GlobalGiving recognize that this incredibly challenging time for refugees warrants a special response—so, with help from your generous donation, we made a round of emergency grants to 10 organizations in the Syrian Refugee Relief Fund. 

Here’s a highlight of how organizations are using emergency COVID-19 grants to keep refugee families safe and healthy during the crisis:

• Movement on The Ground: As one of the few organizations with permission to operate in Lesvos as well as Samos, Greece, Movement on The Ground is promoting proper hygiene and providing refugees with critical information on how to avoid infection of COVID-19.
• Jafra Foundation for Relief and Youth Development: Jafra has focused its response on disinfecting camps and gatherings in Syria and Lebanon, raising awareness on COVID-19 prevention and precaution methods, and distributing sewn face masks and much-needed food items.
• Near East Foundation (NEF): Members at NEF are on the ground in Syria coordinating with local health committees to provide COVID-19 education to local residents at two community livelihood centers. In Jordan and Lebanon, NEF staff is continuing to provide entrepreneurs with support for their small businesses and income-generating activities, despite many refugees already losing their jobs.
• Association for Solidarity with Asylum Seekers and Migrants (ASAM): Nonprofit leaders at ASAM are providing critical counseling services and awareness-raising activities to ensure that refugees can cope with the added stress of the virus as well as take the necessary protective measures to prevent further outbreaks.

We are incredibly grateful for your support—it is your generosity that is enabling us to partner with local organizations serving the most vulnerable in their communities. To learn more about GlobalGiving’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, see this letter from GlobalGiving CEO, Alix Guerrier.

Stay safe and take care,

Claire + the GlobalGiving Team

Women make up around 50 percent of all refugees. In a refugee crisis, one in five women of childbearing age is likely to be pregnant. When a pregnant woman suddenly loses medical support and must endure threats of trauma, malnutrition, and disease, she and her baby are put in serious danger.

Friends of UNFPA, Inc, one GlobalGiving partner you are supporting with your generous donation, is providing hope for pregnant women and their babies. They are working to make motherhood safer for refugees by working with local governments and other nonprofit partners to deliver birth kits with essential health items to women without access to a facility, as well as equip rural medical facilities with medical and medication.

Razia is one woman from Pakistan whose life was impacted by UNFPA. Razia was only 13 years old when her family married her off. She quickly became pregnant, and her husband tragically died when she was six months along. 

Razia, like many young mothers, had pregnancy complications. She was in labor for four days before her daughter was stillborn, and she also developed obstetric fistula—a preventable medical issue that is overwhelmingly faced by the most disadvantaged women and is a major cause of maternal mortality. Not only did the fistula cause Razia immense pain, but it also forced her to endure infections as well as shame and social isolation. 

"People would either avoid me or just make fun of me," Razia said. "I never felt clean."

Thankfully, with help from UNFPA, Razia obtained treatment for her fistula and is now living a healthy life, including getting remarried and having her own child! Now, she works with UNFPA to bring treatment to other women suffering from fistula. 

This is just one story of life-change our courageous partners are enabling, with help from your generosity. To see more examples of what your donations provide and read the most recent stories from the field, check out our Syrian Refugee Relief Fund partners directly. Thank you again for your incredible support and for making stories like Razia’s possible.

With gratitude,

Claire + the GlobalGiving Team

Original story by UNFPA Communications Team