What has happened?
After more than two years, the conflict in Syria has spread across the country. Fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups continues to escalate, with both sides increasingly making use of heavy weaponry in populated areas.
The United Nations estimates that 5.5 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance in Syria, although other assessments suggest that the actual number may be even higher. An estimated 3.6 million people have been driven from their homes within Syria, and more than 1.2 million registered refugees have fled into neighbouring countries. The UN estimates that more than 70,000 people have been killed.
The situation has deteriorated since June 2012. With anti-government armed groups taking control of areas in the northern and central provinces, the country is becoming increasingly fragmented. There have also been reports of ill-treatment of prisoners, widespread violence against women and children and recruitment of child soldiers.
What are the humanitarian needs?
Millions of Syrians inside the country are in urgent need of food assistance. The war has also disrupted water supplies, healthcare and other basic services, and prevented hundreds of thousands of people from being able to make a living. Refugees arriving in neighbouring countries often require food, blankets, household items and counselling to help them cope with trauma. Because of the fighting, it is difficult to deliver humanitarian aid in many parts of Syria.
Some of the main humanitarian needs include:
Food: Because of blockades, sanctions, a lack of fuel, and large-scale displacement, food prices have soared. In some areas, the price of bread has tripled over the last two months.
Healthcare: Access to health services remains a problem and there are severe shortages of medicines. At least one in four hospitals is closed because of the fighting, and the functioning ones are over-crowded. The lack of safe drinking water and sanitation has led to an increase in water-borne disease.
Shelter and support for people forced from their homes: many people who have been forced from their homes remain in need of adequate shelter and support. At present, about 5,000 people are fleeing into neighbouring countries every day, and the camps and communities near the borders in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan are struggling to cope.
Unemployment: The war has left many without the means of making a living. Unemployment rose from 9% in 2010 to an estimated 34% by the end of 2012. Poorer families have been particularly badly affected.
Protection for the most vulnerable: There has been an increase in reported human rights violations, including indiscriminate bombing of towns and cities, kidnappings, torture of prisoners, rape and sexual assault. There have also been reports of children being recruited into armed forces.
What are CAFOD and its partners doing?
We are supporting trusted Church partners in Syria, who are providing food parcels, medical aid and relief supplies, and helping people to find safe places to stay. Our partners are working in some of the worst hit and most inaccessible parts of the country.
We are also working in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan to ensure that newly arrived refugees have food, medical support, clothes and safe places to stay.
Who are CAFOD’s partners?
CAFOD is working with local Church partners within Syria, with Caritas Lebanon, Caritas Turkey, Caritas Jordan and Catholic Relief Services.
How much has the CAFOD appeal raised?
Thanks to the immense generosity of our supporters, the CAFOD appeal has so far raised around £675,000. The joint appeal by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) – a coalition of 14 leading UK aid agencies – has raised more than £7.4 million. [Figures correct as of 10th April]