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Syria: They need us
Since the Syrian war began five years ago, more than 450,000 Syrians have been killed. Over one million have been injured and over 12 million - that's 3 times the population of New Zealand - have been displaced; losing homes, security, family and livelihood. What should we do?
For many of us, the war may seem too big, too far removed or too mind-boggling. But wherever we are, whoever we are - we are called to use whatever means we have at our disposal to help our brothers and sisters in need.
‘"From wherever these men, women and children have come, and whatever the circumstances that have driven them to undertake perilous journeys, we cannot either turn a blind eye or simply do the minimum in terms of aid and assistance. These are our brothers and sisters and we must help with all urgency and with great practicality." - The Salvation Army's General André Cox
GET INFORMED
In the five years of the Syrian conflict raging, an average of 50 Syrian families have been displaced every hour of every day. Over 17 million Syrians are currently in need of humanitarian aid. It is estimated that two million children within Syria and 700,000 around the region are no longer in school. While this may be temporarily necessary for their immediate safety, it is permanently compromising the future of not only each child, but an entire nation. Amnesty International calls it the "worst humanitarian crisis of our time."
The Syrian government - led by President Bashar al-Assad - has seen an era that metes out corruption, restrictions of freedoms, economic hardship and military brutality. The Syrian public suffered through a severe drought from 2007 - 2010, which only exacerbated poverty, unrest and desperation. Many Syrians subsequently left the region, which meant fewer jobs and a poorer economy. Public protests were met with extreme force. Religious factions mobilised either for or against the government.
International involvement in the resulting civil war further worsened conflict - with Russia and the USA offering weapons, soldiers and funding to the Syrian government to oppose the insurgent troops - also know as rebels.
ALEPPO: Reports have flooded in to the international community over the last few weeks concerning the escalating conflict in the city of Aleppo and civilian casualties. Once the largest city in Syria and a worldwide heritage site because of its embedded historical culture, Aleppo's landscape is now drastically changed through relentless bombing and ground conflict. The insurgent troops are held up in the East area of Aleppo, where over 80,000 civilians remain trapped. Civilian executions and rapes have been steadily reported in the last few days. The emergence of "death bulletins" - the final words of men, women and children who no longer expect to survive the night has been a harrowing wake up call to the wider world. The devastation is immense.
Here is the Centre for International Disaster Information's emergency fact sheet on the war in Syria. The United Nation's Syria at War paper provides a detailed overview of the cost the war has exacted so far on the Syrian people and infrastructures, and what the future may hold as a result.
"Genuine faith shelters the orphan.” - Russell Moore
GET INVESTED
While we can't get on a plane and use our hands and feet on the ground in Syria - there are those who can. And you can transform your compassion into action through investing in their efforts.
UNICEF NZ Executive Director Vivien Maidaborn, when asked what an appropriate response would be upon learning about these atrocities in Syria says: "It would be to give money to aid agencies on the ground who know which children need water and safe shelter, which children are in danger of being trafficked and where the food supply is short. It would be to keep education a possibility for the children of Syria so there is a generation to rebuild this war-torn country."
Here are a list of organisations working on the ground in Syria to bring relief and aid.
Here is an infographic detailing where the services are operating and what they are providing.
Here is what The Salvation Army is doing in bringing relief to refugees arriving in European countries, and how your donation will help.
"The Government will match ‘dollar for dollar’ the funds raised by New Zealand NGOs running Syria appeals up to a maximum of $2.5 million. This approach acknowledges the generous support of New Zealand public and will ensure every dollar they donate goes further." - Tearfund on the Syrian Crisis
GET PETITIONING
Action Station has prepared this great article on responding to questions about petitioning for doubling the refugee quota and funding.
The government has an easy to understand process for petitioning available here. Petitioning "[Asks] the House to act on a matter of public policy or law, or to put right a local or private concern." Perhaps you could get together with other members of the community, local and national organisations and your Salvation Army Corps to see where your vote and signature would be most effective.
GET PUBLIC
Find out if there are rallies or protests you can attend in your region. Syrian Solidarity New Zealand and supporters will be gathering at Aotea Square in Auckland this Saturday, 17th December at 2pm calling for "an immediate stop to summary executions of civilians and urgent action to secure safe passage for the 100,000 civilians trapped inside Eastern Aleppo." What can you do?
There is a fantastic #withsyria campaign - where you can "Share your picture to join the thousands telling world leaders that 5 years on, Syrian lives must take priority over political interests." For the social media savvy, this could be one facet of your action.
GET PREPARED
It has been announced that the Government plans to launch a trial of a pilot program that teams NGOs and public organisations in sponsoring refugees to come to New Zealand - over and above the refugee quota.
While there is not any further information yet - this is a start. Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse said "The publicity surrounding the global refugee crisis has sparked an outpouring of support in New Zealand for refugees and the government wants to see if that support can be used to benefit the refugees.".
This has originally been trialled in Canada with churches, Rotary Clubs and local organisations teaming up to provide refugees with a place to stay and stand in their country. Could this be you? What would it look like to envelop a refugee family in your community?
GET PRAYING
"Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them." - Psalm 10:17-18
God is not a God of mere talk, but of power. He asks us to respond to the needs of the widows, the orphans, the oppressed. As Aleppo is being relentlessly bombed, as the millions who have lost homes and loved ones travel blindly out across the great unknown, as children cower in the ruins of their homes and beside the broken down bodies of their mothers and fathers - Christians, we are urged to action!
If there are additional ways you can help - do them. If anything in this article has caused offense - use that to spur you on in ways you see fit to meet the needs of Syria. Let us come to our Father in prayer, in earnest, unceasing prayer as we ask Him to move His hands and our hearts in unison. World Vision has tailored specific prayer requests for the Syrian people, and we add our own:
- Children - That there would be safety, hope and expectation. Those who are experiencing both physical and mental trauma would find aid and be healed. That there would be supernatural intervention and schooling/education would resume.
- Women - That women are spared sexual violation. That they will be bastions of peace. That all women - and those who are pregnant and/or have children - will find miraculous paths to safety. That women will be policy makers and key to change.
- Men - That there will be safety, deliverance, expectation of God moving. That the Lord will deliver the men of Syria into His own hands and speak to them.
- Soldiers - That there would be a ceasefire. That there will be Christians amoung them who can minister to those in their dying moments or in doubt.
- Policy makers - That those on political levels will have the confronting reality of the Holy Spirit's discernment. That there would be a wave of peace and reconciliation.
- Christians - That Christians would unite financially, spiritually and physically to defend the rights of those who have none. That we would praise Jesus for where He is already at work in the war-torn streets.
- Peace - That we would see the peace of God, that transcends all understanding, descend unapologetically. Forgive us our inaction and doubts and deliver our brothers and sisters in Syria. Reveal yourself, Father!
- Future - That God, You would author an unexpected future for Syria where the peace of the Lord reigns. Let us be party to it.
Try writing a prayer or word of reassurance to refugees through non-profit organisation CARE; a selection of the messages are translated into Arabic and given to refugee children.
We know that the prayers we send to our Father will go straight to the hearts of the broken and powerless.
We are for you Syria. We are coming.
"For the Lord your God is the God of gods and Lord of lords. He is the great God, the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and cannot be bribed. He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing." - Deuteronomy 10:17-18
by Rosy Keane | The Salvation Army Territorial Women's Ministries | New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory | Photo credit: Yasin Akgul/AFP