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18-09-2013 | Latest News , MENA

Syrian Arab Red Crescent President: Humanitarian warning before winter

ENG

GENEVA/BEIRUT - 18/09/2013: As international negotiations on the Syria crisis continue, the President of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC), Dr. Abdul Rahman Attar is urging the world not to forget the humanitarian plight of the millions of people affected by the crisis. As winter approaches, freezing temperatures and winter storms could bring further misery to millions of displaced and traumatized people and their families.


According to the UN over 2 million people have fled Syria and registered as refugees in the neighbouring countries since the outbreak of the conflict in 2011 and around 4.25 million are displaced within the country. Many of those who have fled are living in tents in refugee camps or in abandoned, makeshift buildings leaving them vulnerable to harsh weather conditions. Last year, the region experienced one of its coldest winter in 20 years and made living conditions especially difficult for refugees, many of whom fled with the just the clothes they were wearing.


"Winter is coming and the needs are extremely important for these people," said Dr Attar, "Can you imagine in the winter time, 4 or 5 million people who have had their houses destroyed, who have no place to live, living now under a tree or under tents?", he added citing mattresses, blankets, kitchen kits and hygiene kits as priority needs.


With the new school term starting, many people now sheltering temporarily in school buildings will again find themselves homeless and SARC staff and volunteers are asking for more support and resources to help these and all other affected people as winter approaches. The current IFRC Emergency Appeal for Syria, which asks for 53,199,100, is only 67% funded. "SARC needs more support, in terms of logistics and running costs," said Dr Attar. "This is very important, to enable the volunteers to continue. We have 9 000 volunteers and these 9 000 volunteers can't work forever, we need to support them by any means."


With SARC being one of the key humanitarian agencies on the frontline of the conflict, the difficulties and risks of providing aid are increasing by the day. Since the start of the conflict, 22 volunteers have tragically lost lives in the course of duty. "We are recruiting new volunteers but unfortunately some of the volunteers have left the country, because they are afraid that they could be killed or to be imprisoned," explains Dr. Attar again reiterating the need for more support from the international community.


"We need to invest in our volunteers now. They are important for providing life-saving services during the conflict but they will be even more important after as they will be the only ones who will be able to bridge the divide"


A full video interview of the SARC president can be found at: www.ifrc.org/newsroom


For further information or to set up interviews, please contact:


Raefah Makki, Senior Communications Officer, IFRC MENA Zone, Beirut
Raefah.makki@ifrc.org
+961 70 258225


Pierre Kremer: Director of IFRC Communications, Geneva. pierre.kremer@ifrc.org
+41 792264832


Benoit Carpentier: Senior Communication Officer, benoit.carpentier@ifrc.org
+41 792132413


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