According to the United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees, the number of Syrian refugees is now over 2.3 million. The UNHCR also says that within Syria there are 4.2 displaced people as a result of the civil war that has been going on between Syria's president Bashar al-Assad and primarily an al-Qaeda lead rebel force, with both sides allowing and engaging in attacks on civilian targets. The Kurds, who are about 9% of the Syrian population and traditionally have had a role in the Syrian government, now are targeted from both al-Assad and the al-Qaeda-like rebels.
The ongoing attacks on civilians have been shocking and heartbreaking. The government has engaged in air raids on civilian targets; one such raid, on the city of Aleppo, resulted in more than 300 deaths. During the past few months there were some hints that the U.S. and Obama may have some interest in supporting those at the forefront fighting against the Syrian president but to support an Islamic absolutist force dead set against any form of egalitarianism or freedom of thought seems like somewhat less than a good idea.
Twenty percent of the people now living in Lebanon are newcomers. They are just some of those that have fled the violence and terror being lashed out against the civilian population in Syria. OXFAM is helping re-settle people in Jordan and Lebanon.
This is looking as though it may be the harshest winter on record for the region. Almost half of the refugees are reported to be children. With a million-plus children living through the winter in tents, the need is obvious. UNICEF has warned of the combined effects of a harsh winter living in tents, babies and infants and probably about 200,000 pregnant women. I urge you to donate to OXFAM and the other charities I will mention related to this issue. In a UNHCR statement on this they say, "These children, women, and men have made perilous journeys across country borders in search of safety. They are traumatized and fearful for their lives. Many are also physically wounded or suffering from illness and disease." This sums up the situation and the need. With the extreme cold that it appears will hit the region over the next few more months babies, the sick, and young children will be at risk for pneumonia. It is a bit too late for a Merry Christmas; we should do our best to try to make it as much of a Happy New Year as possible.
I very much encourage you to help the Syrian refugees.
UNHCR
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees
1-855-808-6427 OXFAM
1(800) 776-9326
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Doctors without borders
1 888 392-0392
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I welcome any comments. -Brian
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