About 18,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed since an uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began 18 months ago. UN Photo/David Manyua
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) is providing $30,000 to help fund a project that will assist about 7,000 Syrian families who have fled violence in their country and sought safety as refugees in neighbouring countries.
About 18,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed, and hundreds of thousands others displaced as a result of the violence triggered by an uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has reported that the number of Syrians who have registered as refugees as a result of the 18-month old conflict stands at 235,368 as of Sept. 2. Most have fled to Turkey, Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon.
PWRDF, the relief and development arm of the Anglican Church of Canada, is responding to the crisis through the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and local partners, as part of the ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance. Funding will support a project to provide food packages, hygiene kits, bedding sets, clothing and household items as well as rental subsidies and support for students.
Other church-based organizations have joined efforts to respond to the needs of refugees. On Aug. 29, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) announced it would assist Syrian refugees in Jordan.
Donations to the Syria relief effort can be made by writing a cheque payable to PWRDF and marked for “Syria Relief” and mailing it to:
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
The Anglican Church of Canada
80 Hayden Street
Toronto, Ontario M4Y 3G2