Christians and other minorities who have fled Turkey's attacks need emergency aid to get through the winter.
They were displaced when Turkey aerially bombed the Afrin region in northwestern Syria in January to March 2018 - and Al Queda-linked groups, made up of young radicalized Islamists, attacked on the ground.
According to the most conservative estimates, over 150,000 people fled the attacks.
The refugees cannot return to the Afrin canton occupied by Turkey. Some of the displaced are now living in bombed Aleppo, others in three tent camps north of Aleppo, while a third group lives in abandoned houses in the surrounding area.
Refugees' main needs are food, fuel, warm clothes, blankets and insulation foil to keep out the cold.
The woman Bezma has to support her family
Let me tell you about Bezma and Ahmed, who live with their four children in the remains of a house north of Aleppo. Bezma supports the family through several odd jobs. Her husband is a retired civil servant and is confined to a wheelchair due to shrapnel injuries in his legs.
The couple's eldest son lives with them because he has been exempted from military service due to mental illness. Bezma explains: "Our living conditions are challenging as prices have risen sharply, including rent. As a result, we cannot afford to heat our homes and we struggle to get enough to eat."
Ahmed adds: "Many of the buildings, including ours, were damaged during the bombardments and we can't get heat. Heaters and fuel are expensive, just like food is expensive."
The family is very grateful for the food baskets and fuel they received during their escape in early 2018 last winter. Unfortunately, the situation has not changed and they are facing another harsh winter.
The goal of winter relief is to ensure that people like Bezma and Ahmed and their families stay warm. Fuel, warm clothes, blankets and food baskets show them that they are not forgotten in their struggle to survive. Bezma is grateful for the food and every piece of clothing they receive. "Your care for my soul is like a warm blanket around my shoulders," she says. "Thank you for caring! Thank you for caring and not forgetting us!"
The winter emergency aid is delivered through local Christian relief teams, which Danish European Mission donors have supported since 2014 when Islamic State displaced thousands in Syria.
Persecuted but brave local Christians help the victims
Through winter relief, you can empower persecuted but brave local Christians to show that the church has not forgotten the many victims of the war in Syria. The brave Christians can show that the church stands with the vulnerable and poor, just like Jesus did.
Thank you for extending a helping hand to people like Bezma and Ahmad - and the thousands of other refugees from Afrin.
Christian aid workers are bringing hope to war-torn Syria in this dark and cold winter time. They show care and love to people who had to leave everything behind.
- On average, it costs around $150 to ensure a family has food, water, hygiene items and medicine for a week.
- On average, it costs around 650 DKK to ensure a family has food, water, hygiene items and medicine for a month.
- On average, it costs around $1,080 to ensure a refugee family has warm clothes, shoes, mattresses, blankets, fuel and insulation foil this winter.
Thank you for helping Christians and refugees in Syria this Christmas season. We can let those in need in Syria feel the warmth of Christmas. They will feel that they are not forgotten, but that we stand with them.
