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Syrian Refugees Face Uncertain Future

Jim Cornelius with Syrian refugee children in Shabrieh Lebanon. Photo: Joan Barkman, CFGB

September 18, 2013

By CFGB

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PWRDF is part of the $4 million Canadian Foodgrains Bank(CFGB)  response to help 55,000 people in Syria

“I have a headache everyday worrying about how I will pay my rent and feed my family.”

That’s what Syrian refugee Amoun Habouch, who is caring for eight children, told CFGB’s Executive Director Jim Cornelius in August when he visited her in Lebanon.

Habouch, like many thousands of other refugees in that country, is facing an uncertain future. She and her family can’t go back home, but life in Lebanon is very hard. Rent is high for their one room apartment, and it is difficult for her husband to find a job.

Ali Hussein and Khadide Namouk and their six children also fled to Lebanon after their home near Damascus was bombed. They found shelter in an apartment in Shabriha, which they share with six other refugee families. Ali and the other fathers are look­ing for work to support them.

But they are also finding it hard to get work. The large flood of refugees that have crossed into Lebanon means there are more people looking for work than jobs, and wage rates have fallen.

“Most of the refugee families I spoke with are spending a lot each month to pay for rent, even for the most basic accommodations such as tool sheds, garages or permission to pitch a tent,” Cornelius says.

“After paying their rent, they have very little money, if any, left over for food and medical expenses.”

PWRDF is responding to the needs of Syrians affected by the conflict as part of CFGB’s nearly $4.2 million response which provides food for some 55,000 displaced people and refugees in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan each month.

“This crisis is a catastrophe for the families and children caught in the crossfire,” says Cornelius, adding that with over six million people displaced, “it has turned into one of the worst humanitarian crises of our time.

“These are people just like us,” Cornelius continues. “Before the war, they lived peaceful and stable lives in cities, towns and farms. They had jobs, a house, and were able to feed their families.

“Now they have fled for the lives, with no way of knowing how or when the conflict will end or even if they will ever be able to go home again. Donations to the Syrian Crisis Appeal Fund will provide them with help during this difficult time.”

You can support this relief work:

On-line
You can designate your online donation for “Syria Response”.

By Phone
For credit card donations contact:
Jennifer Brown
416-924-9192 ext. 355; 1-866-308-7973
Please do not send your credit card number by email or fax.

By Mail
Please make cheques payable to “PWRDF”, mark them for “Syria Response” and send them to:
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
The Anglican Church of Canada
80 Hayden Street
Toronto, Ontario  M4Y 3G2

PWRDF Donations Contact:
Jennifer Brown
416-924-9192 ext. 355; 1-866-308-7973

PWRDF Humanitarian Response Coordinator
Naba Gurung
416-924-9199 ext. 321; 1-866-308-7973