The Al Imdaad Foundation is continuing its efforts to assist thousands of Syrians who have been left destitute due to the conflict between loyalists to President Bashar al Assad, rebels and now with the Islamic State’s territorial gain. While fighting continues, Syrian citizens are fleeing for survival and some thousands are left behind to make a life of the ruins. With this in mind, the Al Imdaad Foundation in partnership with Turkish humanitarian aid group IHH have opened two containerised villages to accommodate some hundreds of Syrians.

On Saturday morning, The foundation’s Qari Ziyaad Patel said about 49 trucks, containing all then basic necessities families need to survive during the harsh winter conditions along with other essential relief items such as mattresses, relief packs, baby food etc.

“Through the guidance and blessings of Allah, and the assistance of the generous South African community, we have once again been able to send through another convoy for our Winter Warmth project which forms part of the ‘I Need You’ Campaign in Syria,” Patel explained.

During his visit, Patel said he spent a lot of time with the people of Syria and explained of their current situation. “The Syrian people are well aware of the immense support they have been receiving from South Africa through this difficult time. When you arrive at these refugee camps, you are received by a swarm of such loveable children and it is clear to see that this conflict has affected them the most. I want people back home in SA to consider the enormous impact this conflict has had on Syrians. There lives changed for the worst in a blink of an eye,” Patel added.

Situated on the border of Syria and Turkey, Patel said the foundation is working on two sides of the border where the two containerised villages are located.

“Walking through these camps are really heart-wrenching. Here are so many orphans in the camps. We make Duah that Allah makes it easy for them Insha-Allah. Some of the areas here, we have found that people are living in such poor states and the conditions just get worse and the conflict continues.”

“The Al Imdaad has literally moved mountains in Syria. We’ve put up two containerised villages with over three hundred containerised home, a clinic, a network of bakeries and over a thousand orphans are now also going to receive sponsorship from the Al Imdaad Foundation. We have been able to do all this, with the help of South Africans. Syrians are making a lot of duah for South African community,” Patel said.

In just a few more days, winter will set in. According to Patel, during his last visit in winter, inches of snow covered the camps and villages. He explained that the harshness of winter is a tougher time for Syrians and so, the foundation has, according to Patel, thrown a life line to the Syrian people by equipping them the necessities to ensure they stay protected during this difficult season.

For any information on how you can donate, visit the Al Imdaad website: www.alimdaad.com. VOC (Ra’eesah Isaacs)