You’ve seen the heartbreaking pictures, you’ve heard their devastating stories and now it’s time to help, if you haven’t already.
The Syrian refugee crisis is so massive it’s being called the largest refugee crisis since WWII. Reports estimate there are about 11 million people displaced due to Syria’s civil war. About 3.8 million have found refuge in neighbouring countries while another estimated 7.6 million have been internally displaced due to the ongoing fighting.
There are five main countries accepting refugees – Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt – but those countries are being overwhelmed by the demand for help and some smaller areas are starting to crack under the strain.
Many Syrian refugees are now taking to the sea to find refuge in Europe, knowing they could drown before they reach the shore.
Some who have been interviewed have said the risk is worth it because if they stay they’re sure they’ll die. In fact, many of them feel dead already.
I can’t even imagine fleeing from my home in West Sechelt with my husband, 12-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son under cover of darkness for fear of being shot or enlisted in a civil war I wanted no part of.
I can’t imagine having literally no food or water on my journey to some unknown place I heard would be better, clinging to nothing but hope, yet scared to have any.
And I can’t possibly imagine the fear and overwhelming sadness that would grip me as I watched my children struggle through something they should have never been touched by.
It’s like a crazy nightmare, yet it’s reality for those millions of refugees, over half of them children, trying to escape and live.
This is a crisis, possibly bigger than the world has ever seen, and it’s going to take all of us to change it.
One of the easiest ways to help is to donate money to provide more food, water, shelter and support to Syrian families in refugee camps. There are many places to donate money but some of the most well known and trusted are Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse.
Another way to help that’s a lot more personal is to sponsor a refugee to come to Canada. Check out http://mcccanada.ca/stories/sponsor-syrian-refugees for more information.
And while individuals can do a lot, groups can do a lot more, which is why www.wewelcomerefugees.com has been launched, to mobilize churches around the globe to reach out to Syrians in need in the name of the Lord.
The website movement is calling on all churches to take time this Sunday, Sept. 13 to talk about the crisis and discuss ways to help.
As a Christian, I see this as a perfect challenge for us. Let’s put our faith into action and lead the way.
