They don't let their children eat fruit or vegetables, let alone meat as it's too expensive. In some children there are signs of poor nutrition.
A tray of eggs that cost 60 Syrian pounds before the civil war now costs 1350 Syrian pounds. Twelve Arabic flatbreads cost 15 pounds - now 8 flatbreads cost 200 Syrian pounds. A kilo of sugar cost 5 pounds before the civil war, now it costs 300 pounds.
Let me tell you about Arman, a Syrian Christian who, along with his Kurdish wife and their five young children, had to flee their home because of the war when the Al Nusra Front took their Armenian village.
He moved in with his family in the Kurdish-controlled area and asked our Christian relief team for help as they had fled with nothing. He also started coming to the Bible study group at the local church. But since he was sick and had not been able to get medicine because of the war, he died after a short time. Everyone was very sad for his family and five small children.
But then his wife came up to us and said: "We had nothing to feed our small children, but You always helped us when we were in need. Without your help, everyone would have died a long time ago. Thank you so much for that. Of course we grieve, but we are not alone. Thank you."
Muslims threaten and kill Christians, yet you help them. Why?"
Let me also tell you about Adil*, a Syrian regional government official in Aleppo province.
As a Muslim, Adil* was amazed to see the church doing so much to help the poor - not just once or twice - but regularly. He has been watching our Christian relief teams for some time, seeing them faithfully distribute food, clothes and whatever was needed, and how they always kept their promises to the authorities and the people to help when they were asked for help - even when they had to distribute relief in dangerous areas so that people in need could survive.
He started asking questions about our relief team's motivation to help others and wanted to know more. He said to our project manager: "I've been watching you for some time and I don't understand why you help others, who aren't even your relatives or friends, more than yourself. I know you have needs too, so why do you do it? Muslims threaten and kill Christians and yet you help them. Why?"
Our project manager said: "Our Lord did the same. He loved others more than himself, and even gave his life for them that they might live". The official got interested and started coming to church and loved it. Then he told our project manager: "You know what? We Muslims need you Christians here in Syria, because with you there is a future for our country".
Although he is very busy with his work, he meets weekly with the pastor to read the Bible with him, and there are also other officials who have become very interested.
Our relief teams are caring for people fleeing the bombardments and fighting. The influx of internally displaced people into a temporary refugee camp in early 2016 was overwhelming, and the local authorities asked the church to help with food distribution. So our partners distribute 3000 loaves of bread every day to the stranded refugees in this area.
Islamic State and other rebel groups are working to eradicate Christians in Syria, but by distributing aid and doing good to those in need during this dark and difficult time, many Syrians are realizing that Christians are making a very positive contribution to society.
Want to lend a helping hand to those in need in Syria? The lack of basic necessities is enormous. In children, there are signs of malnutrition.
- On average, it costs around 150 DKK to provide a refugee family with water, food, kitchenware, hygiene items and medicine for a week.
- On average, it costs around DKK 652 to ensure that a refugee family has water, food, kitchenware, hygiene items and medicine for a month.
Because of your support, people are getting food and medicine, clothing and whatever else they need. In addition, society will see that at a time like this, Christians are making a very positive contribution in Syria - and that the Christians that the Islamic State is trying to eradicate are very much needed.
Thank you for providing relief to the Christians of Syria and enabling them to help their fellow human beings in need.
