Scots charity appeals to help Syrians

Published on 04/02/2013 00:00

A SCOTTISH charity has launched an emergency appeal to help thousands of Syrian refugees flooding into neighbouring Jordan.

The Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund (SCIAF) is seeking donations to help provide basic supplies to those fleeing the 22-month-old uprising.

SCIAF, the international aid and development agency of the Catholic Church in Scotland, will be working through its sister agencies in the region, such as Caritas Jordan, which is currently said to be helping 60,000 people.

The Syrian civil war has seen 60,000 people killed and an estimated 1.5 million flee from their homes as violence increases and basic needs such as food, clean water and safe shelter become more difficult to access, SCIAF said.

Ismail Ahmad Al Ajrab, a 30-year-old refugee from the Syrian city of Homs, described the situation as a “nightmare”.

He said: “I feel sometimes that this is all just a dream, but then the difficulties hit you and I know it is our reality now.”

The father, who fled to Jordan eight months ago with his wife and three boys, received fuel, food and other supplies at a centre run by Caritas Jordan, SCIAF said.