As more South African’s wake up to the dire situation in Aleppo, Islamic Relief is responding to displaced civilians in these areas.  The Syrian conflict is now in its 5th year and is one of the worst human disasters and catastrophes, unparalleled since World War 2. Hundreds of thousands of innocent lives have been lost, millions of refugees have fled this once beautiful country, apart from the millions internally displaced. At least half of those affected by the crisis in Syria are children–more than 50% of Syrian children no longer attend school.

“For many of them, this war, which began on March 15, 2011, has been all they’ve ever known: Their towns have been decimated; their education has come to a screeching halt; hospitals have been overflowing with people but remain undersupplied; food and clean water are scarce.  Syrians, living inside Syria or as refugees in neighboring countries, are in desperate need,” said Islamic Relief in a statement.

The ongoing conflict has stripped Syria of its resources, creating a hunger crisis of unprecedented proportions. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians have been forced to rummage for food—and for those who can find any, can’t afford to buy it because prices have skyrocketed.

According to UNHCR and OCHA, there are more than 4.8 million registered Syrian refugees, and 13.5+ million people inside of Syria in need of humanitarian aid. The United Nations has declared the Syrian conflict “the worst of the 21st century.”

Since the intense bombardment, Syrians fear they won’t make it out alive. Civilians started tweeting out their final, haunting goodbyes as they fear their imminent death.

“Tonight, as you put your children to bed, pray for the mothers who have lost everything. Pray for the children who have been unjustly robbed of their life. Pray for the ones who are struggling to survive, the ones who have lost their homes, families, and everything that matters most to them,” said relief agency.

Currently the entire city is under siege and it’s impossible to access inside city. Most of the civilians are trying to flee from city and Islamic Relief volunteers are expecting that in coming days more civilians will be displaced from city as busloads of people are leaving as of this morning as part of a deal with the government.

Refugees are headed to the Northern, Western and Southern side of Aleppo governorate and also to Idlib.
Islamic Relief is calling on South Africans to support a campaign to assist Syrians.

For more information call 0800 111 898 or email info@islamic-relief.org.za.  VOC