Islamic Relief continues to help those in need in conflict-ridden Syria

FOR 10 years, Syrians have been suffering amid brutal conflict. The crisis has left more than 11.7 million people in need of humanitarian aid or protection.

With six million Syrians displaced from their homes, many have now been living in dire conditions for years, facing daily threats to their lives, dignity and wellbeing. The ongoing food and water shortages and inadequate access to sanitation and medical care continues to put the health of the population at risk.

Islamic Relief has been responding to the crisis since 2011 – and today, it is working deep inside Syria to help those who are in most need of assistance. The organisation also provides much-needed support to vulnerable families seeking safety in nearby countries, working to ease their suffering and support host communities in meeting the needs of the new arrivals.

Comprehensive emergency response

Islamic Relief’s comprehensive Syria emergency response includes: s -EDICAL ASSISTANCE s &OOD PARCELS AND 7ORLD &OOD 0ROGRAMME VOUCHERS s 3HELTER AND CASH FOR RENT s 7ATER AND SANITATION s %SSENTIAL ITEMS SUCH AS BABY KITS BLAN

KETS CLOTHING AND HEATERS s -ONEY TO HELP REFUGEE FAMILIES MEET

THEIR URGENT BASIC NEEDS s ,IVELIHOODS AND EDUCATION SUPPORT s 0SYCHOSOCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR THOSE DIS placed by the fighting.

Helping Syrian children affected by the war

Since the beginning of the crisis, the Islamic Relief team has been working with local partners to reach the most affected people in hard-to-reach areas. The team has supported paediatric centres across Northern Syria, providing essential medicine and equipment. It has also strengthened the capacity of its teams and local organisations, so they are better able to respond to emergency situations in Syria and neighbouring countries.

In addition to supporting families inside Syria, aid has also been provided to millions of displaced Syrian families in neighbouring COUNTRIES SUCH AS )RAQ *ORDAN ,EBANON AND Turkey. The organisation’s ongoing Syrian %MERGENCY !PPEAL CONTINUES TO ENSURE THAT as many Syrians in need are supported.

In the north-west of Syria, large numbers of people who have been forced from their homes, are in critical need of support. In this area, people have often been repeatedly displaced due to conflict and are struggling to survive on a daily basis without adequate food, shelter and medical care.

Islamic Relief is therefore continuing to support people in need across this region and has adapted its work to further protect communities against the risks and effects of Covid-19. Right now, the organisation is supporting 82 hospitals and medical centres in the north-west to help around 200 000 people.

To support this vulnerable community, Islamic Relief is providing medicines and supplies as well as raising awareness on Covid-19 prevention, detection and treatment across the 82 health facilities supported. Training is also being given to limit Covid-19 transmission for staff across 20 key health facilities, and the salaries of 150 doctors and nurses and running mobile emergency units are being paid in order to take healthcare to where it’s needed most.

To support Islamic Relief’s work in helping the people of Syria, visit www.islamic-relief.org.za and donate now. * Statistics and figures correct at the time of publication.

In 2021 alone, Islamic Relief has supported approximately 2.5 million people with health and nutrition, shelter and survival items, water and sanitation, food security, and livelihoods and educational support.

Humanitarian needs are increasing in Syria. In response, Islamic Relief supports 84 health facilities – including hospitals, healthcare centres, mobile surgical units, dialysis centres,Thalassemia centres and blood banks – with medication, disposables, equipment and stipends for healthcare staff.