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Keep Syria in your duas this Ramadan

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Thousands of displaced Syrians have been forced to live on hand-outs during Ramadan, as the country faces a severe food shortage. Many Syrians who were once self-sustainable and able to feed the poor have now become the impoverished.

While a South African delegation of ulema travel to Syria this week do humanitarian work during Ramadan, the Al Imdaad Foundation continues aid efforts in war torn Syria amidst the never ending conflict that has swept the region. More than 11 million people have thus far been displaced as government forces battle rebel forces for control of the state and then there is also the ever present threat of militants seeking to implement an Islamic State (ISIL).

What started as pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011 turned into full scale civil war. Everyday thousands of asylum seekers and refugees cross the border from Syria into neighbouring countries and everyday displaced citizens that remain in Syria suffer from starvation, possible disease and armed conflict.

In 2012, the Al Imdaad Foundation was able to set up and completed the first tent programme in Syria. The tent program provides shelter to those whose homes have been destroyed.

Food shortages remain the most vitial challenge. As a result, the foundation has received reports that people have resorted to eating the leaves from the trees as well as rotten food.

“With no end in sight we realised that there’s a continuous need for food and hot meals in the area,” Qari Ziyaad Patel of the Al Imdaad Foundation explains.

The AlF bakery in Syria produces fresh bread daily
The AlF bakery in Syria produces fresh bread daily

In 2012, the foundation established a bakery in the region and to date operate four bakeries in the region that provides bread to starving citizens.

“In 2014 we established a second containerised village on the borders of the country and embarked on the I Need You campaign where every month we send in over a million kilograms of flour into Syria,” Patel continued.

Flour for Syrians to produce their own bread
Flour for Syrians to produce their own bread

By March 2015, 220 000 people were reported to have been killed in the conflict, according to statistic provided by the United Nations. Government and rebel forces have also been accused of using civilian suffering, such as blocking access to food, water and health services, as a method war.

“In 2015, the orphan situation in Syria has become drastic and completely dire,” Patel added.

As a result, the foundation is embarking on an orphans’ project in which a series of homes will be built to house orphans. The Tiny Hearts Project will have 40 houses in the village and each house will have a house mother.

“An analysis was taken of the situation in Syria and we have come to the conclusion that there will be no quick solution to the problem. We (Al Imdaad) need to prepare ourselves for the next few years until there is a resolution.

“On a daily basis we have a communal kitchen and provide hot meals for people residing in the Syrian refugee camps,” Patel continued.

Syrian children unpack food hampers
Syrian children unpack food hampers

During this month of Ramadan the organisation has increased its humanitarian aid with extra food distributions as well as clothing distributions to orphans. On the Jordanian-Syrian border the Al Imdaad foundation has its own distribution centre. From this centre, people are able to receive food packs, clothing as well as medical attention. Furthermore, the foundation hosts daily iftar programmes for children.

The Al-Imdaad Foundation's Iftaar programme for Syrian orphans
The Al-Imdaad Foundation’s Iftaar programme for Syrian orphans

Patel noted that the situation in Syria continues to deteriorate.

“We still find children starving and daily bombs affect various towns and areas within the country.”

“There are too many groups fighting one another and the local population is caught up in the conflict,” Patel said.

The camps set up by the foundation have not been targeted by any fighting parties and the foundation is able to continue its work on the borders of Syria as well as within the region.

As a result of war, Syria’s education, social and health systems are in a state of collapse and thus it is necessary for relief organisations such as Al Imdaad Foundation to provide aid to the population. With neither side able to inflict a decisive defeat on the other, the war continues and innocent people continue to become displaced and or die as a result. VOC (Umarah Hartley)


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