Syria

Emergency aid and development projects

COVID-19: Emergency aid distributed remotely

The work that Danish European Mission donors support in Syria has also been affected by COVID-19 restrictions, but relief aid continues to be distributed.

By Magnus Pedersen

Emergency aid distributed Corona

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Syria and the civil war in the country has been a regular feature in the news for years. Civil war, economic downturn, Islamic State, big politics, death and destruction have been part of everyday life in Syria, but now there's another problem. COVID-19 is in the country and it has taken hold in several of the country's refugee camps.

"Syria is suffering. It was suffering before COVID-19, but the virus is not making it better. It's another problem on top of a lot of problems," says one of the Danish European Mission's partners, who continues to distribute aid in the country. There is a curfew in parts of Syria, but the Christians distributing the aid are allowed to distribute it anyway.

"Our work has not changed significantly. Emergency aid still goes out, but we do it with social distance. Previously, you had to sign your name and ID card to get your one package of food and hygiene products, but now that has been removed. Instead, we look at people and recognize them if they try to get two packages. We also don't give the aid directly, but instead put it down, stand back, and then they can come and get it while we greet them from a distance."

Emergency aid used to consist of 1/4 hygiene products and 3/4 food. Now it's 50/50, and if there is a shortage of something, the hygiene products are prioritized, and masks are also included in the hygiene kits.

The curfew also means that Christians can no longer meet physically in churches, but they are trying to compensate for this.

"There is a lot of praying in the houses, and several of the pastors are also doing it online now, and some are broadcasting services over the internet. Even though it helps, the curfew is very hard for Syrians. "The Arab culture is very social and it challenges people. But Syrians are resilient and fighting against COVID-19."

Support Syria: Emergency aid for Christians and other displaced people