John —
My name is Elias, and I work for the IRC as the communications lead for Syria. A key part of my job is communicating the urgency and devastation Syrians have faced the past decade of war. I'm here to tell you the situation is worse than what's being portrayed by the media.
As temperatures can plummet below freezing in the winter, frost, heavy rain and snowfall threaten to exacerbate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people living in makeshift tents and poor housing conditions in northern Syria.
With war has come economic catastrophe, and families are stretched so thin, just trying to make ends meet. Parents have dedicated every day to providing the love, food, shelter, and education their children need — even in the most difficult circumstances.
Now, in the cold and damp winter months, warm clothing and heating fuel are essential for survival.
Help families in Syria and other crisis zones stay warm and safe this winter. Pledge your monthly support and your first sustaining gift will be matched, dollar for dollar.
A reliable monthly gift is the best way to make a difference — give now to help deliver humanitarian support where it's needed most.
As temperatures can plummet below freezing this winter, frost, heavy rain and snowfall threaten to exacerbate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of those staying in makeshift tents and poor housing conditions in Syria.
The situation is grim, John. More than 6.7 million people across Syria have been forced to flee their homes, often without enough time to take essential items like winter coats. Many live in unfinished buildings in overcrowded, informal camps — where temperatures at night can drop as low as 23°.
I can't stop thinking about people like Mohannad, who was been displaced with his wife and two children to a camp in northwest Syria, who described how devastating the conditions of winter:
"Due to the snowstorm, the tent my family and I stayed in was completely destroyed and our possessions have been damaged. We lack all necessities of life from a proper shelter to heating sources and food. It is freezing cold and we need urgent assistance."
It could not be a more heartbreaking situation, John.
Your support is essential to families like Mohannad's, providing winter supplies and cash assistance year–round to people displaced by continued conflict and disaster. Will you make a gift today to help families make ends meet? Remember, your first monthly gift right now will be matched — doubling your immediate impact.
John, as the conflict continues on, our focus is on keeping the family safe and warm this winter, and throughout the year. We will be here to support families as long as we're needed — and your ongoing support makes a difference. I hope you join us.
Thank you for opening your hearts and standing for families in Syria, Ukraine, and other crisis zones this winter.
— Elias
Elias Abu Ata
Senior Communications Manager, Syria
International Rescue Committee |
