Syria crisis - your questions answered

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What has happened?

After more than two years, the conflict in Syria has spread across the country. Fighting between government forces and armed opposition groups continues to escalate, with both sides increasingly making use of heavy weaponry in populated areas. The humanitarian situation is catastrophic and continues to deteriorate.

The United Nations estimates that 6.8 million people – almost one-third of the population – are in need of aid in Syria. An estimated 4.25 million people have been driven from their homes within Syria, and more than 1.4 million registered refugees have fled into neighbouring countries. The UN estimates that almost 80,000 people have been killed.

What are the humanitarian needs?

The war has caused widespread food shortages, disrupted water supplies, healthcare and other basic services, and prevented hundreds of thousands of people from being able to make a living. Refugees arriving in neighbouring countries often require food, blankets, household items and counselling to help them cope with trauma. Because of the fighting, it is difficult to deliver humanitarian aid in many parts of Syria.

Some of the main humanitarian needs include:

Food: Because of blockades, sanctions, a lack of fuel, and large-scale displacement, food is difficult to access in many areas. In areas where it is available, prices have soared.

Healthcare: Access to health services is a major problem and there are severe shortages of medicines. Many hospitals have been destroyed or damaged because of the fighting, and the functioning ones are over-crowded. The lack of safe drinking water and sanitation has led to an increase in waterborne disease.

Shelter and support for people forced from their homes: many people who have been forced from their homes remain in need of adequate shelter and support. At present, an estimated 8,000 people are fleeing into neighbouring countries every day, and the camps and communities near the borders in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan are struggling to cope. The number of Syrians registered or awaiting registration exceeds 1.4 million, just two months after the one million mark was reached – and the actual number of refugees is believed to be far higher.

Unemployment: The war has left the Syrian economy in tatters, and many people no longer have the means to make a living. Poorer families have been particularly badly affected.

Protection for the most vulnerable: There has been an increase in reported human rights violations, including indiscriminate bombing of towns and cities, kidnappings, torture of prisoners, rape and sexual assault. There have also been reports of children being recruited into armed forces.

What are CAFOD and its partners doing?

We are supporting trusted Church partners in Syria, who are providing food parcels, medical aid and relief supplies, and helping people to find safe places to stay. We are one of only a handful of UK aid agencies able to work in Syria. The extensive community networks of the Church, even as a minority faith, mean that it is well placed to provide aid in some of the worst hit and most inaccessible areas of the country.

We are also working in Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan to ensure that newly arrived refugees have food, medical support, clothes and safe places to stay.

Who are CAFOD’s partners?

CAFOD is supporting local Church partners within Syria, with Caritas Lebanon, Caritas Turkey, Caritas Jordan and Catholic Relief Services.

How much has the CAFOD appeal raised?

Thanks to the immense generosity of our supporters, the CAFOD appeal has so far raised more than £1.3 million.

Please donate to our Syria crisis appeal>>