Syrian Refugee Relief Fund

Dear GlobalGivers,

Thank you for your continued support for Relief for Syrian Refugees Fund. The winter in Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan has been particularly harsh. Millions of displaced Syrians have been blanketed by snow or buffeted by strong winds and rain. Luckily, many projects have been able to alleviate some of the suffering thanks to your generous donations.

The Mercy Corps team has been working hard to keep families warm in two of Jordan’s refugee camps. They have been providing heaters and distributing coats, shoes and warm boots to children in the Zaatari camp. MercyCorps’ dozen child-friendly spaces have remained open, serving as great spots for families to shelter from the cold and regain a sense of normalcy in their lives. Each day, hundreds of children meet at these spots to play, take dance or martial arts classes, exercise at the gym, or learn computer skills.

Relief Internationalhas continued its excellent work spreading its Accelerated Learning Program to 24 schools, 5 learning centers, and more than 7,000 children across northern Lebanon.  One of the students that RI has helped is 12-year-old Zeinab.* She was a distinguished student in Syria, but the trauma of the war and the memories of her ruined home impeded her ability to concentrate on school work. Relief International’s tireless staff works with Zeinab and students like her to help them regain their interest in education and move towards a brighter future

Oxfam America expanded its operations by teaming up with the Syrian Ministry of Water Resources and UNICEF to provide clean water to millions of Syrians. They brought clean water to people in Syria by repairing water systems, building wells, and importing generators to power water treatment plants. Meanwhile, they have distributed clean drinking water, relief supplies like blankets and stoves for warmth, and legal and /human rights advice.

As one refugee working with the World Food Program USA stated, “Hunger doesn’t just destroy your body. It destroys your soul, your mind and your faith in the world.” That is why World Food Program USA has continued their work dispensing food vouchers to Syrians in need. They have met the food needs of 4 million displaced people inside Syria and almost 1.8 million refugees in neighboring countries.

Despite their success, WFP was unable to provide food vouchers to 1.7 million Syrians due to lack of funding. This means that there is still more to do! Please consider donating to the fund again, or set up a recurring donation. Your donations will help keep a Syrian child healthy, happy, and warm.

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Greetings from GlobalGiving! Thank you for your generous donations to the GlobalGiving Syrian Refugee Relief Fund. Your donations are helping refugees to receive services to help them have better livelihoods and hope amidst this refugee crisis. Below are updates on a few of the activities that your funds have helped to support the refugees of Syria.

Oxfam America has been working in Jordan and Lebanon to provide clean water, sanitation facilities and cash assistance to vulnerable families to afford food and basic goods. In Syria, Oxfam has partnered with the Syrian Ministry of Water Resources, UNICEF, and other aid providers in order to supply clean drinking water through generators that are powering water-treatment plants.

An additional 12 classrooms have been successfully constructed in four schools in Irbid, Mafraq and Zarqa in Jordan by Japan Emergency NGO (JEN). Unfortunately, school hours have been reduced for children because there are so many Syrian and Jordanian children attending the local schools. The Jordanian Ministry of Education has taken a double shift system, where twice the amount of children are spending only half days at school, in order to accommodate the influx of children in the school system. JEN continues to repair water facilities and build additional classrooms to improve the learning environment in Jordan.

Mercy Corps has created a Shabab Littagheer, or youth center, at the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan that has provided young refugees access to martial arts, fine arts, a gym, computer classes and training in skills such as communication and leadership. The amenities at the youth center give the young Syrian refugees a safe place and opportunity to enjoy their youth in a time of crisis.

As the Syrian war continues to wage on, your contributions are as important as ever. Thank you for your support of the relief work that is being provided to the Syrian refugees who are far from home and just looking to live peaceful lives again.