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Syria + 2 more

A Call for Humanitarian Support for Syrian People to end their Suffering

28 March 2013

After 2 years, the violent conflict in Syria continues to cause death, destruction and suffering. Around 4 million Syrians are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. This conflict has also triggered extreme poverty in Syria as livelihoods, education, health and sanitation infrastructure has been completely destroyed. Many of those who are internally displaced or seeking refuge in neighbouring countries do not know what the future holds for them. The scarcity of resources has not only posed difficulties for the Syrian refugees but it has also placed a burden on the host states which are facing their own national economic, social and political challenges.

Uncertainty as to when the conflict will end, limited resources and security of aid workers have continued to define the slow international humanitarian response to Syria. Therefore a united global response is crucial now to meet the increasing and urgent needs of the Syrian people.

A spokesperson for Muslim Aid said: “On the 2nd anniversary of Syrian uprising, Muslim Aid has re-launched its emergency appeal for Syria. With generous support from donors, Muslim Aid field offices in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq have been able to provide urgently needed emergency relief to Syrian refugees. Muslim Aid has also delivered aid to Syrian people inside Syria through its partners. To meet the increasing needs of the Syrian people, the international community must work together for a timely and effective humanitarian response.”

Muslim Aid’s recent humanitarian activity includes distribution of relief packs containing food items, clothes, outerwear, thermals, blankets, coal and mattresses to beneficiaries inside Syria. In addition to this, rugs and hygiene packs have also been distributed to over 2000 refugee families in Lebanon and 500 families in Jordan.

As well as emergency aid, Muslim Aid has also provided healthcare and shelter support to Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon.

In the mountainous areas of eastern and northern Lebanon where NGO activity has been considerably low, Muslim Aid increased its food and non food items distribution accordingly. At the same time, working together with its partners on the ground, appropriate shelter has been provided to Syrian families.

In Jordan, Muslim Aid’s healthcare intervention included the provision of two medical clinics in Al-Ramtha and Al-Mafraq, along the border for treating the sick and wounded refugees.

Donations are needed urgently to deliver aid to the people of Syria who are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

Notes to editors

· Muslim Aid is a relief and development agency set up in the United Kingdom in 1985 to provide humanitarian assistance to disaster affected countries and to help poor and vulnerable communities overcome poverty. Over the last 27 years, Muslim Aid has delivered services in over 70 countries worldwide. Muslim Aid works with all communities irrespective of faith, ethnic origin or political system. Muslim Aid programmes include emergency relief, capacity building through water, sanitation and health programmes, education and skills training, microfinance and income generation and orphan care. As well as giving practical assistance, Muslim Aid tackles poverty by developing sustainable solutions, advocating for a more just and sustainable future.

· For further information about the work of Muslim Aid and its overseas field offices, please visit the Muslim Aid website at www.muslimaid.org to tune in to Muslim Aid TV or go to our Twitter Account Muslim_Aid or contact PR office on (+44) 020 7377 4200; media@muslimaid.orgThis or via post on PO Box 3| London | E1 1WP.